The effects of dexpanthenol on brain tissue in experimental global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

The Effects of Dexpanthenol on Brain Tissue in Experimental Global Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective and therapeutic effects of dexpanthenol in experimental global cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Materials and Methods: In the study, 32 female Wistar-Albino rats weighing between 200-250 grams, 3-4 months old, were used and the rats were divided into 4 groups, each containing 8 animals. Group 1 is the Sham group. Group 2 is the group in which 30 minutes of cerebral ischemia was created by clamping the bilateral carotid arteries, followed by 72 hours of reperfusion, and no drug was administered (IR). Group 3 is the group in which dexpanthenol was administered 500 mg / kg once a day for 72 hours of reperfusion after 30 minutes of cerebral ischemia (IR+DXP). Group 4 is the group in which dexpanthenol 500 mg / kg was administered once a day starting 3 days before cerebral ischemia (DXP+IR). At the end of 72 hours of reperfusion, the rats were decapitated after performing the rota-rod and accelerated-rod tests, and their brain tissues were removed, histopathologically examined and tissue biochemical parameters (SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH, MDA) were evaluated. Results: While changes in motor skill functions with the rota-rod, accelerated-rot tests deteriorated in the IR group compared to the Sham group, it improved significantly in the IR + DXP and DXP + IR group compared to the IR group (p<0,05). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of CAT, SOD and GPx enzymes (p>0,05). While MDA increased in IR group compared to Sham group, it decreased significantly in IR + DXP group compared to IR group (p<0,05).While GSH level decreased in IR group compared to Sham group, it was found to be significantly higher in IR + DXP group compared to IR group (p<0,05). Histopathologically, brain tissues were evaluated in terms of neuronal degeneration. While the number of degenerated neurons increased significantly in the IR group compared to the Sham group, a statistically significant decrease was observed in the IR + DXP group compared to the IR group (p<0,05). Conclusion: When the results of histopathological, motor skill tests and biochemical parameters of cerebral tissue are evaluated together, dexpanthenol can have a neuroprotective effect in the IR + DXP group treated with dexpanthenol after ischemia and during reperfusion, while the DXP + IR group treated with dexpanthenol before cerebral ischemia caused a relative improvement in results. Although this improvement was not statistically significant, it was thought that dexpanthenol given before cerebral ischemia had no neuroprotective effect. Key words: Dexpanthenol, cerebral ischemia, reperfusion injury, rat brain