Valproic acid attenuates blood-brain barrier disruption in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischemia: the roles of HDAC and MMP-9 inhibition

J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2011 Jan;31(1):52-7. doi: 10.1038/jcbfm.2010.195. Epub 2010 Oct 27.

Abstract

Valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, is known to protect against cerebral ischemia. The effects of VPA on blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption were investigated in rats subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Postischemic VPA treatment remarkably attenuated MCAO-induced BBB disruption and brain edema. Meanwhile, VPA significantly reduced MCAO-induced elevation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), degradation of tight junction proteins, and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Sodium butyrate, another HDAC inhibitor, mimicked these effects of VPA. Our findings suggest that BBB protection by VPA involves HDAC inhibition-mediated suppression of NF-κB activation, MMP-9 induction, and tight junction degradation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / drug effects*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Body Water / metabolism
  • Brain Chemistry / drug effects
  • Brain Chemistry / physiology
  • Brain Edema / drug therapy
  • Brain Edema / etiology
  • Butyrates / pharmacology
  • Coloring Agents
  • Evans Blue
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Histone Deacetylases / metabolism
  • Immunoglobulin G / metabolism
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / drug therapy
  • Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery / pathology
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / drug therapy*
  • Ischemic Attack, Transient / pathology*
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors*
  • NF-kappa B / biosynthesis
  • NF-kappa B / genetics
  • Neuroprotective Agents*
  • Protease Inhibitors*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Tight Junctions / drug effects
  • Tight Junctions / pathology
  • Valproic Acid / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Butyrates
  • Coloring Agents
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors
  • NF-kappa B
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Protease Inhibitors
  • Evans Blue
  • Valproic Acid
  • Histone Deacetylases