Upregulation of ICAM-1 in diabetic rats after transient forebrain ischemia and reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycemia exacerbates brain damage caused by cerebral ischemia. Neuroinflammation may play a role in mediating such enhanced damage. The objectives of this study were to examine the mRNA and protein levels and cell type distribution of ICAM-1 after cerebral ischemia in normo-and diabetic hyperglycemic rats. RESULTS: Compared to normoglycemic ischemia animals, diabetes aggravated neuronal death, decreased Nissl body staining, and increased ICAM-1 mRNA and protein levels in the frontal cortex. The increased ICAM-1 was located not only in vascular endothelial cells but also in cortical neurons. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that exacerbated neuro-inflammation in the brain may mediate the detrimental effects of diabetes on the ischemic brain.