Beta-glucan attenuates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced neuronal injury in a C57BL/J6 mouse model

Abstract

Beta-glucans (beta g), that have many useful effects on human health, are natural polysaccharides. Our aim in this study was to determine useful effect of beta g against oxidative and neuronal damage caused by global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (IR) in stroke imitated mice via surgical operation. A total of 40 mice divided into four equal groups randomly. The group 1 (sham operated) was kept as control. Bilateral carotid arteries of subjects in group 2 (I/R) and group 4 (I/R + beta g) were clipped for 15 min, and the mice in group 4 (I/R + beta g) were treated with beta g (50 mg/kg/day), while the mice in group 2 (I/R) were treated with only vehicle for 10 days. The mice of group 3 (beta g) were treated with beta g for 10 days without carotid occlusion. Global cerebral I/R significantly increased oxidative stress and decreased members of anti-oxidant defense system. In addition, I/R caused histopathological damage in the brain tissue. However, beta g treatment ameliorated both oxidative and histopathological effects of I/R. Our present study showed that beta g treatment significantly ameliorated oxidative and histological damage in the brain tissue caused by cerebral I/R. Therefore, beta g treatment can be used as supportive care for ischemic stroke patients.