IGF-1 Protects Neurons in the Cortex and Subventricular Zone in a Periventricular Leucomalacia Model

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion affects early and mature neurons in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and cerebral cortex. Herein, we investigated the effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a neurogenesis-promoting agent, on neurons in these regions in periventricular leucomalacia (PVL) model rats. Following right carotid artery ligation, the rats were placed in a hypoxia chamber and injected with recombinant IGF-1 (0.1 and 1 μg/μl). Their brain sections were immunohistochemically analysed using anti-nestin and anti-NeuN antibodies. The numbers of early-neuronal cells in the SVZ and mature neurons in the cerebral cortex were higher and lower, respectively, in the PVL group than in the control group. The number of NeuN-positive cells was significantly higher in the IGF-treated group than in the PVL group. PVL increased the number of early neuronal cells in the SVZ, reducing the survival of mature neurons in the cerebral cortex; IGF-1 reversed these effects.