Recombinant human erythropoietin prevents the death of mice during cerebral malaria
Abstract
Cerebral involvement during malaria is a complication that leads to seizure, coma, and death. The effect of new neuroprotective therapies has not yet been investigated, although cerebral malaria shares some features with neurological stroke. Erythropoietin (EPO) is one of the more promising drugs in this area. We measured the effect of EPO on the survival of mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA and demonstrated that inoculations of recombinant human EPO at the beginning of the clinical manifestations of cerebral malaria protect >90% of mice from death. This drug has no effect on the course of parasitemia. The effect of EPO was not related to either the inhibition of apoptosis in the brain or the regulation of the increase and decrease of nitric oxide production in the brain and blood, respectively. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma mRNA overexpression was inhibited by EPO, and treated mice had fewer brain hemorrhages. EPO has been used in patients with chronic diseases for years, and more recently it has been used to treat acute ischemic stroke. The data presented here provide the first evidence indicating that this cytokine could be useful for the symptomatic prevention of mortality during the acute stage ...Continue Reading
Citations
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Brain Ischemia
Brain ischemia is a condition in which there is insufficient blood flow to the brain to meet metabolic demand. Discover the latest research on brain ischemia here.
Antimalarial Agents
Antimalarial agents, also known as antimalarials, are designed to prevent or cure malaria. Discover the latest research on antimalarial agents here.
Antimalarial Agents (ASM)
Antimalarial agents, also known as antimalarials, are designed to prevent or cure malaria. Discover the latest research on antimalarial agents here.
Acute Stroke
A stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain is interrupted depriving the brain of oxygen and nutrients. This feed focuses cerebrovascular accidents including ischemic and paralytic stroke.