Tianjin Medical Journal ›› 2023, Vol. 51 ›› Issue (5): 473-476.doi: 10.11958/20221943

• Experimental Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The effect and mechanism of roflumilast on traumatic brain injury in rats

SHI Kunlin(), LI Chenxi, ZONG Jianchun()   

  1. Department of Emergency, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, China
  • Received:2022-11-24 Revised:2022-12-29 Published:2023-05-15 Online:2023-05-05
  • Contact: △E-mail:zongjianchuncq@163.com

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effect of roflumilast (RF) on traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats and its possible mechanism. Methods A total of 36 rats were divided into three groups by random number table method: the sham group, the TBI group and the TBI+RF group, with 12 rats in each group. The TBI model of rat was established by modified Feeney free fall method. Rats in the TBI+RF group were intraperitoneally injected with RF solution immediately, 1 day and 2 day after modeling, while rats in the Sham group and the TBI group were given equal volume solvent. The modified neurological severity score (mNSS) was performed on day 1, day 2, day 3, day 7 and day 14 after modeling. At 3 days after surgery, the pathological changes of neurons and the number of dead neurons in the perifocal cortex of rats were observed by HE staining. The contents of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the injured cortex of rats were detected by ELISA, and the contents of NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) in the perifocal cortex of rats were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results There was no significant difference in mNSS within 3 days after modeling between the TBI+RF group and the TBI group, but mNSS decreased at 7 and 14 days in the TBI+RF group (P<0.05). Compared with the Sham group, the TBI group had loose brain structure around the lesion, significant interstitial edema and more dead neurons (P<0.05). Interstitial edema was still observed around the lesion in the TBI+RF group, but the percentage of dead neurons was decreased compared with that in the TBI group (P<0.05). Compared with the Sham group, the contents of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and NLRP3 were increased in the TBI group (P<0.05). The contents of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and NLRP3 were decreased after RF treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion Roflumilast alleviates traumatic brain injury in rats by reducing the level of inflammatory mediators in the early stage of TBI, thus playing a neuroprotective role.

Key words: brain injuries, traumatic, NLR family, pyrin domain-containing 3 protein, interleukin-6, interleukin-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, Roflumilast

CLC Number: