1. Academic Validation
  2. Neuroprotection with the P53-Inhibitor Pifithrin-μ after Cardiac Arrest in a Rodent Model

Neuroprotection with the P53-Inhibitor Pifithrin-μ after Cardiac Arrest in a Rodent Model

  • Shock. 2018 Feb;49(2):229-234. doi: 10.1097/SHK.0000000000000917.
Michael Glas 1 Tamara Frick 1 Dirk Springe 1 Alessandro Putzu 1 Patrick Zuercher 1 Denis Grandgirard 2 Stephen L Leib 2 Stephan M Jakob 1 Jukka Takala 1 Matthias Haenggi 1
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
  • 2 Neuroinfection Laboratory, Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Abstract

Background: The small molecule pifithrin-μ reversibility inhibits the mitochondrial pathway of Apoptosis. The neuronal effects of pifithrin-μ applied after cardiac arrest are unknown. We hypothesized that pifithrin-μ reduces neuronal damage in the most vulnerable brain region, the hippocampus, after cardiac arrest.

Methods: In two randomized controlled series we administered pifithrin-μ or control in 109 rats resuscitated after 8 or 10 min of cardiac arrest. Neuronal damage was blindly assessed with histology (Fluoro Jade B: FJB, cresyl violet: CV) in the most vulnerable brain region (CA1 segment of hippocampus) and with a series of neurobehavioral tests (Open Field Task, Tape-Removal Test, Morris Water Maze test). Mixed ANOVA was used to combine both series, simple comparisons were done with t tests or Mann-Whitney U test.

Results: Pifithrin-μ reduced the number of degenerating, FJB-positive neurons by 25% (mixed ANOVA p group = 0.014). This was more prominent after 8 min cardiac arrest (8 min arrest pifithrin-μ 94 ± 47 vs control 128 ± 37; n = 11 each; 10 min arrest pifithrin-μ 78 ± 44, n = 15 vs control 101 ± 31, n = 18; p group* arrest length interaction = 0.622). The reduction of ischemic CV-positive neurons in pifithrin-μ Animals was not significant (ANOVA p group = 0.063). No significant group differences were found in neurobehavioral testing.

Conclusion: Temporarily inhibition of Apoptosis with pifithrin-μ after cardiac arrest decreases the number of injured neurons in the CA1 segment of hippocampus in a cardiac arrest rat model, without clinical correlate. Further studies should elucidate the role of this neuroprotective agent in different settings and with longer cardiac arrest.

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