Turkish Neurosurgery 2013 , Vol 23 , Num 4
The Effects of Vagal Nerve Stimulation in Focal Cerebral Ischemia and Reperfusion Model
Fatih EKICI1, Ayse KARSON2, Meltem Ozden DILLIOGLUGIL3, Gonul GUROL4, Hale Maral KIR3, Nurbay ATES1
1Yildirim Beyazit University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Ankara, Turkey
2Kocaeli University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Kocaeli, Turkey
3Kocaeli University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Kocaeli, Turkey
4Sakarya University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Sakarya, Turkey
DOI : 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.7114-12.1 Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of VNS in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion (MCAO/R) rat model of ischemia based on behavioral, morphological, and molecular approaches.

Material and Methods: Wistar albino rats were divided into 3 groups: ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), I/R+VNS, and sham (for I/R). Each group was further divided into two subgroups for the assessment of neurological deficits and infarct area, or biochemical parameters related to oxidative stress.

Results: The infarct area and neurological scores were significantly lower in I/R+VNS group compared with the I/R group. MDA levels were significantly higher in I/R group compared to control and I/R+VNS groups in the cortical and subcortical specimens. There were also betweengroup differences in terms of GSH levels. GSH levels were higher in sham group compared with and I/R and I/R+VNS groups in cortical specimens whereas these levels for lower in I/R group compared to control and I/R+VNS groups in the subcortical specimens. SOD activity was higher in control group compared to I/R and I/R+VNS groups both in the cortical and subcortical specimens. There was no difference between I/R and I/R+VNS groups in neither cortical nor subcortical specimens.

Conclusion: The neuroprotective and antioxidant properties of VNS suggest its efficacy as a potential anti-ischemic treatment. Keywords : VNS, Focal cerebral ischemia, GSH, MDA, SOD, TTC

Corresponding author : Ayse Karson, karson.ayse@gmail.com