PPAR-γ activator induces neuroprotection in hypercholesterolemic rats subjected to global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury: In vivo and in vitro inhibition of oxidative stress

• Hypercholesterolemia (HC) is a risk factor for cerebrovascular disease in aged.
• Effects of HC on brain lesions during global cerebral ischemia and therapeutic potentials of rosiglitazone were examined.
• We report that HC combined with GCI/R exacerbated brain lesions.
• Rosiglitazone is effective in protecting brains of HC rats during GCI/R via novel scavenging activity.
• These results add to the protective potentials of PPAR-γ activators in aged and diabetic subjects.

Hypercholesterolemia (HC) and aging combine to increase the incidence of cerebrovascular disease through oxidative stress. Our investigation examined the effects of diet-induced hypercholesterolemia (2% for 8 weeks) on the extent of brain injury in response to global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (GCI/R) and the neuroprotective potentials of rosiglitazone in relation to oxidative stress. HC exacerbated the decline in the brain levels of GSH and the increase in MPO, proinflammatory markers and hippocampal lesions in response to GCI/R. HC rats receiving rosiglitazone, PPAR-γ agonist, demonstrated preservation of cell viability of CA1 hippocampal region and attenuation of brain edema. They also showed elevated levels of GSH and low levels of the other parameters similar to non-HC rats subjected to GCI/R. In vitro, rosiglitazone dose-dependently inhibited ROS generation by neutrophils. The results suggest exacerbation of brain lesions by HC in response to GCI/R. The neuroprotective therapeutic potentials of rosiglitazone are comparable to non-HC animals. Mechanisms of protection are possibly due to anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory effects and scavenging properties of rosiglitazone. These results add to the beneficial therapeutic effects of rosiglitazone and its significance for age-associated diseases including hypercholesterolemia.