Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor reduces striatal dopamine accumulation caused by cerebral ischemia

ObjectivesGranulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) plays important roles in neuroprotection. Acute and massive increases in extracellular dopamine can cause damage to the striatal neurons during cerebral ischemia (CI). We hypothesized that G-CSF may exert neuroprotective effects by reducing dopamine accumulation.Materials and MethodsCI was induced by infusing endothelin-1 (Et-1, 120 pmol in 10 μL saline) into the root of the middle cerebral artery in freely moving rats. G-CSF (200 μg/kg in 0.2 mL saline) was administered immediately after CI induction.ResultsG-CSF reduced dopamine accumulation in the ischemic striatum after CI was induced by Et-1. The total brain infarct volume was reduced by 67% (p < 0.05) at 24 hours after CI.ConclusionThese data suggest that reduced dopamine accumulation may be one of the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of G-CSF.