IGF-1 Stereotaxic Injection Induces BDNF Expression After Bilateral Common Carotid Artery Occlusion.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIM: Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a neuroprotective growth factor widely expressed in the brain. Prior studies have shown that IGF-1 and phosphorylated protein kinase B (pAKT) are downregulated in the hippocampus of a bilateral common carotid artery (BCCAO) model. However, the relationship between AKT, ERK, and BDNF expression in this BCCAO model remains unclear. In particular, the effects of IGF-1 on pAKT and phosphorylated extracellular signal-related protein kinase (pERK) in the BCCAO model are not understood. In the present study, we investigated the effect of IGF-1 stereotaxic injection on pAKT and pERK in a BCCAO model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To create the BCCAO model, the carotid arteries of rats were exposed and occluded. Three hours post-occlusion, IGF-1 was injected into BCCAO rats using a stereotaxic injector. Western blotting was conducted on the cerebral cortex and hippocampal tissues collected three days after BCCAO. RESULTS: Three days after BCCAO model induction, BDNF expression was increased in the cortex and hippocampus. There was a significant difference in cortex and hippocampal pAKT/AKT and pERK/ERK expression between the BCCAO and IGF-1-treated group. CONCLUSION: Stereotaxic injection of IGF-1 in rats with BCCAO enhances BDNF expression in the cortex and hippocampus 3 days post-surgery. Further, this treatment simultaneously increased pAKT and pERK levels in both regions.