Effects of Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1 Inhibition in a Neonatal Rodent Model of Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury

BACKGROUND: Hypoxia ischemia (HI) to the developing brain occurs in 1–6 in 1000 live births. Large numbers of survivors have neurological long-term sequelae. However, mechanisms of recovery after HI are not understood and preventive measures or clinical treatments are not effective. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 is overactivated in response to ischemia. In neonatal mice HI activates PARP-1 but its role in perinatal brain injury remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: Aim of this study was to explore the effect of TES448 (PARP-1-inhibitor) and hypothermia after an ischemic insult. DESIGN AND METHODS: 10-day-old Wistar rats underwent HI. TES448 was given 10 min, 3 hrs, and 6 hrs after hypoxia. Hypothermia was started 30 min after HI and brains were dissected at P12. Western blotting and histological staining were used to evaluate for degree of injury. RESULTS: Protein expression of PARP-1 levels was diminished after TES448 treatment. Cresyl violet and TUNEL staining revealed decreased injury in male rat pups following TES448 and combined treatment. Female rats showed increased numbers of TUNEL-positive cells after combined therapy. TES448 inhibited microglia activation after hypoxic-ischemic injury. A cellular response including NeuN, Olig2, and MBP was not affected by PARP-1-inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of PARP-1 and hypothermia lead to an alteration of injury but this effect is sexually dimorphic.