The neuroprotective effects of R-phenibut after focal cerebral ischemia. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vavers, Edijs; Zvejniece, Liga; Svalbe, Baiba; Volska, Kristine; Makarova, Elina; Liepinsh, Edgars; Rizhanova, Kristina; Liepins, Vilnis; Dambrova, Maija
• Is Part Of: Pharmacological research. Volume 113(2016:Nov.)Part B
• Page Start: 796
• Page End: 801
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: R-phenibut -- GABA-B receptors -- Stroke -- BDNF -- VEGF -- α2-δ subunit of VDCC; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; Research -- Periodicals; Médicaments -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Pharmacologie -- Périodiques; 615.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2015.11.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-6618

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Abstract: R-phenibut is a γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-B receptor and α 2 -δ subunit of the voltage-dependent calcium channel (VDCC) ligand. The aim of the present study was to test the effects of R-phenibut on the motor, sensory and tactile functions and histological outcomes in rats following transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). In this study, MCAO was induced by filament insertion (f-MCAO) or endothelin-1 (ET1) microinjection (ET1-MCAO) in male Wistar or CD rats, respectively. R-phenibut was administrated at doses of 10 and 50 mg/kg for 14 days in the f-MCAO or 7 days in the ET1-MCAO. The vibrissae-evoked forelimb-placing and limb-placing tests were used to assess sensorimotor, tactile and proprioceptive function. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR was used to detect brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene expression in the damaged brain hemisphere. Both f-MCAO and ET1-MCAO resulted in statistically significant impairment of sensorimotor function and brain infarction. R-phenibut at a dose of 10 mg/kg significantly improved histological outcome at day 7 in the ET1-MCAO. R-phenibut treatment at a dose of 50 mg/kg significantly alleviated reduction of brain volume in damaged hemisphere in both f-MCAO and ET1-MCAO. In R-phenibut treated animals a trend of recovery of tactile and proprioceptive stimulation in the vibrissae-evoked forelimb-placing test was observed. After R-phenibut treatment at a dose of 50 mg/kg statistically significant increase of BDNF and VEGF gene expression was found in damaged brain hemisphere. Taken together, obtained results provide evidence for the neuroprotective activity of R-phenibut in experimental models of stroke. These effects might be related to the modulatory effects of the drug on the GABA-B receptor and α 2 -δ subunit of VDCC.