Potential dual role of nuclear factor-kappa B in experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced early brain injury in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE AND

designNuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) has multiple physiological and pathological functions. The role of NF-κB can be protective or destructive. We aim to investigate the biphasic activation of NF-κB in brain after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). MATERIAL OR SUBJECTS: Eighty male New Zealand rabbits are assigned to control, SAH, vehicle, and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) groups. TREATMENT: PDTC (3 mg/kg, dissolved in saline) was injected into cisterna magna.

methodsImmunofluorescence and electrophoretic mobility shift assay experiments were performed to assess the activation of NF-κB. The levels of inflammatory and apoptosis mediators were detected by ELISA and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Nissl and immunofluorescent stain was performed to evaluate neuron injury.

resultsNF-κB activity in the brain cortex showed two peaks after SAH. Inflammatory mediators exhibited similar time course. PDTC could significantly inhibit the NF-κB activity and inflammatory mediators. Suppressing the early NF-κB activity significantly decreased neuron injury, while inhibiting the late one could statistically increase neuron injury.

conclusionsThe biphasic NF-κB activation in the brain cortex after SAH played a decisive role on neuronal fate through the inflammatory signaling pathway. The early NF-κB activity contributed to neuron damage after SAH. Nevertheless, the late activated NF-κB may serve as a protector.