Vascular Protection by Angiotensin Receptor Antagonism Involves Differential VEGF Expression in Both Hemispheres after Experimental Stroke
Author Information
Author(s): Guan Weihua, Somanath Payaningal R., Kozak Anna, Goc Anna, El-Remessy Azza B., Ergul Adviye, Johnson Maribeth H., Alhusban Ahmed, Soliman Sahar, Fagan Susan C.
Primary Institution: University of Georgia College of Pharmacy
Hypothesis
Candesartan, an angiotensin receptor antagonist, enhances neurovascular protection and promotes a proangiogenic state after ischemic stroke.
Conclusion
Candesartan treatment leads to increased vascular density and differential expression of VEGF isoforms in both hemispheres, contributing to recovery after stroke.
Supporting Evidence
- Candesartan significantly increased VEGFB protein in the cerebrospinal fluid after stroke.
- Candesartan treatment resulted in a significant increase in vascular density in the nonischemic hemisphere.
- VEGFA expression was significantly higher in the ischemic hemisphere of saline-treated animals compared to the nonischemic hemisphere.
Takeaway
This study shows that a medicine called candesartan helps protect the brain and improve recovery after a stroke by changing how certain proteins work in the brain.
Methodology
The study used a rat model with middle cerebral artery occlusion to assess the effects of candesartan on VEGF expression and vascular density.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to funding from Astra-Zeneca, which provided the candesartan used in the study.
Limitations
The study may have lacked sufficient statistical power due to a small number of animals in some analyses.
Participant Demographics
Sixty adult male Wistar rats, weighing between 270 and 300 g.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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