The effect of resveratrol on expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the experimental focal cerebral ischemia

Objective To study the effect of resveratrol on cerebral edema as well as the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1) after the focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat.Methods 105 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:sham-operated group of 5 rats,ischemia-reperfusion group(control group) of 50 rats and resveratrol group of 50 rats.The middle cerebral artery occlusion model was constructed by Longa's method.The expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 was investigated with immunohistochemistry and the water content was calculated with dry and wet weight method after 6 h,1,2,3 and 7 d of reperfusion.Results MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were not expressed in the sham-operated group, The water content,the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were significantly decreased in resveratrol group compared with the control group after 1,2 and 3 d of reperfusion,and the expression of TIMP-1 was also significantly decreased at 6 h of reperfusion.Conclusion Resveratrol has a neuroprotective effect on the ischemic brain.This effect may be related to the inhibition of expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1.