Effects of prophylactic application of simvastatin on hematoma volume and neurological function in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage

LIANG Zhi-xiong; HU Song; PENG Yan

doi:10.13798/j.issn.1009-153X.2018.05.010

Abstract：Objective To investigate the effects of prophylactic application of simvastatin on hematoma volume and neurological function in the rats with intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH).Methods Ninety-six male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 24 animals each,i.e.,control,ICH,high dose simvastatin(HS)and low dose simvastatin(LS)groups.The rats received oral administration of simvastatin for 2 weeks before ICH was established in both the HS and LS groups.The serum lipid levels and hematoma volume were measured 24 hours after ICH.The neurological function and water content of brain tissues were determined 5 days after ICH in 6 rats of each group.The neuronal degeneration in 6 rats of each group and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),aquaporin 4 (AQP4),phosphorylated exracellular signal regulated kinase(p-ERK)and phosphorylated c-Jun amino-terminal kinase(p-JNK)in the perihematomal tissues were determined by FluoroJade B (FJB) staining and western blot 5 days after ICH, respectively. Results The serum lipid levels,water content of brain tissues and expression levels of VEGF,AQP4,p-ERK and p-JNK were significantly higher in the ICH group than LS group (P<0.01) which were significantly higher than HS group (P<0.01). The neurological function was significantly better in HS group than LS group (P<0.05), which was significantly better than ICH group (P<0.05). The number of FJB-positive cells was significantly less in HS and LS groups than ICH group. There was no significant difference in the hematoma volume among ICH,HS and LS groups 24 hours after ICH(P>0.05).There was no significant difference in the number of FJB-positive cells between HS and LS groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Prophylactic application of simvastatin attenuates neurologic defect probably by up-regulating VEGF and AQP4 expressions in the perihematomal tissues and reducing perihematomal edema in rats with ICH.