Neuroprotective effect of clioquinol on hippocampal neurons after global ischemia in gerbil

Objective To investigate the protective effect of metal chelator clioquinol(CQ) on hippocampal neurons after global ischemia in gerbil.Methods Global ischemia animal model was made by blockage of the bilateral common carotid arteries of gerbils with non-traumatic aneurysm clips.Autometallography(AMG) was carried out to evaluate the zinc chelation effect of CQ in the hippocampus.TUNEL staining was used to examine whether CQ administation after ischemia could rescue the hippocampal neurons.In situ hybridization was performed to detect the expression level of caspase-3 mRNA in the hippocampus between vehicle- and CQ-treated gerbils after ischemia injury.Results AMG staining showed a decreased level of zinc in the hippocampus after CQ treatment.Furthermore,CQ treatment significantly reduced the number of TUNEL- and caspase-3-positive neurons in the hippocampus after global ischemia compared with the vehicle control.Conclusion The neuroprotective effect of CQ against the ischemia injury is associated with the action of chelation on zinc ions.