Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption is a major pathophysiological event of ischemic stroke. Brain microvascular endothelial cells are critical to maintain homeostasis between central nervous system and periphery. Resveratrol protects against ischemic stroke. 3,3 ',4,5 '-tetramethoxy-trans-stilbene (3,3 ',4,5 '-TMS) and 3,4 ',5-trimethoxy-trans-stilbene (3,4 ',5-TMS) are resveratrol derivatives with addition of methoxy groups, showing better pharmacokinetic performance. We aimed to explore their protective effects and underlying mechanisms. Oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) model was applied in bEnd.3 cell line, mouse brain microvascular endothelium to mimic ischemia. The cells were pre-treated with 3,3 ',4,5 '-TMS or 3,4 ',5-TMS (1 and 5 mu M, 24 h) and then subjected to 2-h OGD injury. Cell viability, levels of proinflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and protein expressions were measured by molecular assays and fluorescence staining. OGD injury triggered cell death, inflammatory responses, ROS production and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) signalling pathway. These impairments were remarkably attenuated by the two stilbenes, 3,3 ',4,5 '-TMS and 3,4 ',5-TMS. They also alleviated endothelial barrier injuries through upregulating the expression of tight junction proteins. Moreover, 3,3 ',4,5 '-TMS and 3,4 ',5-TMS activated 5 ' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Overall, 3,3 ',4,5 '-TMS and 3,4 ',5-TMS exert protective effects against OGD damage through suppressing cell death, inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, as well as BBB disruption on bEnd.3 cells.
