Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator–activated Receptor β/δ Attenuates Acute Ischemic Stroke on Middle Cerebral Ischemia Occlusion in Rats

Background Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR)-β/δ is a transcription factor that belongs to the nuclear hormone receptor family. There is little information about the effects of the immediate administration of specific ligands of PPAR-β/δ (GW0742) in animal models of acute ischemic stroke. Using a rat model of middle cerebral ischemia occlusion (MCAO) in vivo, we have investigated the effect of pretreatment with GW0742 before MCAO. Methods The neuroprotective effect of GW0742 against acute ischemic stroke was evaluated by the neurologic deficit score (NDS), dry–wet weight, and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. The levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Bax, and Bcl-2 were detected by Western blot. The apoptotic cells were counted by in situ terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling assay. Results The pretreatment with GW0742 significantly increased the expression of Bcl-2, and significantly decreased in the volume of infarction, NDS, edema, expressions of IL-1β, NF-κB, TNFα, and Bax, contents of iNOS and the apoptotic cells in infarct cerebral hemisphere compared with rats in the vehicle group at 24 hours after MCAO. Conclusions The study suggests the neuroprotective effect of the PPAR-β/δ ligand GW0742 in acute ischemic stroke by a mechanism that may involve its anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic action.