Using the NGF/IL-6 ratio as a reliable criterion to show the beneficial effects of progesterone after experimental diffuse brain injury

Shirazpour Sara; Khaksari Mohammad; Shahrokhi Nader; Iranpour Maryam; Shahryari Marzieh; Jafari Elham; Salmani Neda

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03844

Using the NGF/IL-6 ratio as a reliable criterion to show the beneficial effects of progesterone after experimental diffuse brain injury

Heliyon. 2020 Apr 27;6(4):e03844. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03844. eCollection 2020 Apr.

Authors

Shirazpour Sara¹, Khaksari Mohammad², Shahrokhi Nader³, Iranpour Maryam⁴, Shahryari Marzieh⁵, Jafari Elham⁴, Salmani Neda⁶

Affiliations

¹ Neuroscience Research Center, Neuropharmacology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
² Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
³ Physiology Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
⁴ Pathology and Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Pathology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
⁵ Department of Physiology, Neuroscience Research Center, Medical Faculty, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
⁶ Department of Psychology, Genetic Institute, Islamic Azad University of Zarand, Keman, Iran.

Abstract

Acute progesterone injection has been shown to reduce brain edema following traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to its neuroprotective effect. We investigated the effects of sustained release of progesterone through implantation of subcutaneous capsules on rat's brain edema and alteration of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and serum ratio of NGF/IL-6 after TBI. This experiment was performed on ovariectomized (OVX) rats and the brain injury was induced by Marmarou's method. A high and a low dose of progesterone (HP and LP) was injected intraperitoneally two h after the brain injury. In addition, in the capsule progesterone-treated group (CP), the intervention was implemented 6 h after the brain injury. Brain edema, NGF and IL-6 biomarkers in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were measured 48 h after the TBI in injection groups and one week after the TBI in the CP group. No significant difference was found in the two groups or in the admonition methods. After TBI, the NGF level increased and IL-6 level decreased by injection of both doses, as well as by taking the capsule. Ratio of NGF/IL-6 in CSF increased significantly by all forms of progesterone administration. The increase in the level of NGF and IL-6 after TBI was higher in CSF than in serum. These results indicated that effects of progesterone in capsule form were better than the injection form. Progesterone probably works by increasing NGF and reducing IL-6. Future studies should investigate the ratio of these biomarkers as a variable to determine the neuroprotective effects of another drug.

Keywords: Brain edema; Endocrinology; Health sciences; IL-6; NGF/IL-6; Nervous system; Neuroscience; Physiology; Progesterone; Reproductive system; Traumatic brain injury.