Simvastatin–Ezetimibe enhances growth factor expression and attenuates neuron loss in the hippocampus in a model of intracerebral hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a common and severe neurological disorder associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Despite extensive research into its pathology, there are no clinically approved neuroprotective treatments for ICH. Increasing evidence has revealed that inflammatory responses mediate the pathophysiological processes of brain injury following ICH. Experimental ICH was induced by direct infusion of 100 μL fresh (non‐heparinized) autologous whole blood into the right basal ganglia of Sprague–Dawley rats at a constant rate (10 μL/min). The simvastatin group was administered simvastatin (15 mg/kg) and the combination therapy group was administered simvastatin (10 mg/kg) and ezetimibe (10 mg/kg). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the forelimb use asymmetry test, the Morris water maze test, and two biomarkers were used to evaluate the effect of simvastatin and combination therapy. MRI imaging revealed that combination therapy resulted in significantly reduced perihematomal edema. Biomarker analyses revealed that both treatments led to significantly reduced endothelial inflammatory responses. The forelimb use asymmetry test revealed that both treatment groups had significantly improved neurological outcomes. The Morris water maze test revealed improved neurological function after combined therapy, which also led to less neuronal loss in the hippocampal CA1 region. In conclusion, simvastatin–ezetimibe combination therapy can improve neurological function, attenuate the endothelial inflammatory response and lead to less neuronal loss in the hippocampal CA1 region in a rat model of ICH.