Effect of resveratrol on marix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) induced by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in mice

Objective To investigate neuroprotection of the prophylactic treatment of resveratrol against transient focal cerebral ischemia and its effect on matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in mice.Methods The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h was induced by intraluminal suture. Resveratrol was prepared in a saline solution (0.9% NaCl) of 20% hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin. Resveratrol was orally administered to mice (30 mg/kg) by gavage for 7 days before surgery. Twenty-two hours after reperfusion, the brains were removed and sectioned coronally into 2 mm slices. Then the slices were stained with 2% TTC to calculate infarction volumes. Total proteins were extracted at different time points (4 h, 10 h and 22 h after MCAO 2 h). Western blot and zymogram were used to detect MMP-9.Results The infarction volumes in the resveratrol-treated mice were smaller than that of vehicle [value for resveratrol treated mice was (39.8±7.5) mm3; P0.01 versus vehicle mice (69.7±5.9) mm3]. Results of Western blot and zymogram indicated that resveratrol could reduce the elevated levels of MMP-9 expression and activity induced by cerebral ischemia reperfusion.Conclusion The prophylactic treatment of resveratrol has protective effect against injury of cerebral ischemic reperfusion, which could be attributed to its property against MMP-9.