d-jnki-1 and Cerebral-Hemorrhage

Inhibition of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway by the TAT-coupled peptide XG-102 (formerly D- JNKI1) induces strong neuroprotection in ischemic stroke in rodents. We investigated the effect of JNK inhibition in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).. Three hours after induction of ICH by intrastriatal collagenase injection in mice, the animals received an intravenous injection of 100 microg/kg of XG-102. The neurological outcome was assessed daily and the mice were sacrificed at 6 h, 1, 2 or 5 days after ICH.. XG-102 administration significantly improved the neurological outcome at 1 day (p < 0.01). The lesion volume was significantly decreased after 2 days (29 +/- 11 vs. 39 +/- 5 mm(3) in vehicle-treated animals, p < 0.05). There was also a decreased hemispheric swelling (14 +/- 13 vs. 26 +/- 9% in vehicle-treated animals, p < 0.05) correlating with increased aquaporin 4 expression.. XG-102 attenuates cerebral edema in ICH and functional impairment at early time points. The beneficial effects observed with XG-102 in ICH, as well as in ischemic stroke, open the possibility to rapidly treat stroke patients before imaging, thereby saving precious time.

Topics: Animals; Aquaporin 4; Behavior, Animal; Brain; Brain Edema; Brain Ischemia; Cerebral Hemorrhage; Collagenases; Enzyme Activation; Immunohistochemistry; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Macrophage Activation; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Neuroglia; Peptides; Postural Balance; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Treatment Outcome