2-(2-Benzofuranyl)-2-Imidazoline Mediates Neuroprotection by Regulating the Neurovascular Unit Integrity in a Rat Model of Focal Cerebral Ischemia

We showed previously that 2-(2-benzofuranyl)-2-imidazoline (2-BFI), a ligand to type 2 imidazoline receptor (I2R) exerts neuroprotective effects in ischemia stroke via an unknown mechanism. The present study was to investigate whether 2-BFI can protect the neurovascular unit (NVU) using a rat model of 90 min focal cerebral ischemia. Rats were randomly divided into three groups: thesham-operated group; the vehicle control group and the 2-BFI group which received 2-BFI (3 mg/kg) immediately after the start of middle cerebralartery occlusion (MCAO). Neurological deficit score, infarct size, apoptosis level, brain water content and Evans Blue extravasation were assessed at 24 h after stroke. Expressions of occludin and zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1), collagen IV, aquaporin-4 (AQP-4), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and MMP-2 were assessed by Western blotting. 2-BFI treatment was associated with significant improvement of neurological performance and decreased infarct volume at 24 h after stroke. Apoptosis level reduced significantly by 2-BFI compared to the vehicle group (34.3 ± 5.4% vs 56.1 ± 7.9%, p