Prague Med. Rep. 2014, 115, 5-15

https://doi.org/10.14712/23362936.2014.1

Effects of a Single Dose of Erythropoietin on Motor Function and Cognition after Focal Brain Ischemia in Adult Rats

Michaela Hralová1, Eva Plaňanská2, Yvona Angerová3, Andrea Jadwiszczoková1, Jana Bortelová1, Marcela Lippertová-Grünerová3,4, Dana Marešová1,*

1Institute of Physiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
2Department of Neurology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
3Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
4Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany

We tested the influence of erythropoietin (EPO), a basic cytokine in erythropoiesis regulation, on the process of motor function and cognition after focal brain ischemia induced by a local application of endothelin. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) induced short lasting strong vasoconstriction, with described impact on the structure and on the function of neuronal cells. Neurological description of motor function and Morris water maze test (the swimming test is one of most widely used methods for studying cognitive functions in rodents) were used to study the process of learning and memory in three-month-old male albino Wistar rats (n=52). Both tests were performed one week before, and three weeks after ischemia induction (endothelin application on the cortex in the area of a. cerebri media dx.). Experimental group received i.p. injection of EPO (5,000 IU/kg body weight, 10 min before endothelin application). Control group of animals received one i.p. injection of saline at the dose of 1 ml/kg body weight at the same time. Only sham surgery was performed in the third group of animals. Rats with EPO pretreatment before the experimental lesion exhibited significantly better motor and cognitive function then those with saline injection. No significant changes in the motor and cognitive function were found in the third group of rats (sham operated controls).

References

38 live references