Treatment with the glycogen synthase kinase-3beta inhibitor, TDZD-8, affects transient cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in the rat hippocampus

Shock. 2008 Sep;30(3):299-307. doi: 10.1097/SHK.0b013e318164e762.

Abstract

The serine/threonine glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK-3beta) is abundant in the central nervous system, particularly in the hippocampus, and plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of a number of diseases, including neurodegeneration. This study was designed to investigate the effects of GSK-3beta inhibition against I/R injury in the rat hippocampus. Transient cerebral ischemia (30 min) followed by 1 h of reperfusion significantly increased generation of reactive oxygen species and modulated superoxide dismutase activity; 24 h of reperfusion evoked apoptosis (determined as mitochondrial cytochrome c release and Bcl-2 and caspase-9 expression), resulted in high plasma levels of TNF-alpha and increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1. The selective GSK-3beta inhibitor, 4-benzyl-2-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazolidine-3,5-dione (TDZD-8), was administered before and after ischemia or during reperfusion alone to assess its potential as prophylactic or therapeutic strategy. Prophylactic or therapeutic administration of TDZD-8 caused the phosphorylation (Ser(9)) and hence inactivation of GSK-3beta. Infarct volume and levels of S100B protein, a marker of cerebral injury, were reduced by TDZD-8. This was associated with a significant reduction in markers of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and the inflammatory response resulting from cerebral I/R. These beneficial effects were associated with a reduction of I/R-induced activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases JNK1/2 and p38 and nuclear factor-kappaB. The present study demonstrates that TDZD-8 protects the brain against I/R injury by inhibiting GSK-3beta activity. Collectively, our data may contribute to focus the role of GSK-3beta in cerebral I/R.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain Ischemia / drug therapy*
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Hippocampus / drug effects*
  • Hippocampus / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Nerve Growth Factors / biosynthesis
  • Phosphorylation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Reperfusion Injury / drug therapy
  • Reperfusion Injury / pathology*
  • S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit
  • S100 Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Thiadiazoles / pharmacology*

Substances

  • 4-benzyl-2-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazolidine-3,5-dione
  • Antioxidants
  • Nerve Growth Factors
  • S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit
  • S100 Proteins
  • S100b protein, rat
  • Thiadiazoles
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • Gsk3b protein, rat
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3