Neuroprotective mechanisms of erythropoietin in a rat stroke model

Objective This study was designed to investigate the indirect neuroprotective properties of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) pretreatment in a rat model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Methods One hundred and ten male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups receiving either 5,000 IU/kg rhEPO intravenously or saline 15 minutes prior to MCAO and bilateral craniectomy or sham craniectomy. Bilateral craniectomy aimed at elimination of the space-consuming effect of postischemic edema. Diagnostic workup included neurological examination, assessment of infarct size and cerebral edema by magnetic resonance imaging, wet-dry technique, and quantification of hemispheric and local cerebral blood flow (CBF) by flat-panel volumetric computed tomography. Results In the absence of craniectomy, EPO pretreatment led to a significant reduction in infarct volume (34.83 +/- 9.84% vs. 25.28 +/- 7.03%; p = 0.022) and midline shift (0.114 +/- 0.023 cm vs. 0.083 +/- 0.027 cm; p = 0.013). We observed a significant increase in regional CBF in cortical areas of the ischemic infarct (72.29 +/- 24.00% vs. 105.53 +/- 33.10%; p = 0.043) but not the whole hemispheres. Infarct size-independent parameters could not demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in cerebral edema with EPO treatment. Conclusions Single-dose pretreatment with rhEPO 5,000 IU/kg significantly reduces ischemic lesion volume and increases local CBF in penumbral areas of ischemia 24 h after transient MCAO in rats. Data suggest indirect neuroprotection from edema and the resultant pressure-reducing and blood flow-increasing effects mediated by EPO.