Neuritin has a neuroprotective role in the rat model of acute ischemia stroke by inhibiting neuronal apoptosis and NLRP3 inflammasome

Objectives: This study explored the anti-inflammatory, anti-neuronal apoptosis, and neuroprotective effects of Neuritin in rat models of acute ischemia stroke (AIS).Methods: AIS was induced in male Sprague Dawley rats by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Rats were divided into sham, MCAO, MCAO+neuritin, MCAO + neuritin + PBS, MCAO + neuritin+MCC950, and MCAO + neuritin + MSU groups. Neurological score assessment, brain water content measurement, HE staining, TTC staining, TUNEL staining, ELISA, and Western blot were performed.Results: Neuritin significantly improved the neurobehavioral score, infarct size, brain water content, apoptosis, and neuroinflammatory response compared with the MCAO and MCAO + PBS groups within 24 h after AIS. Moreover, Neuritin inhibited the protein expression of NLRP3 inflammasome, and reduced the expression of IL -18 and IL-1B, thereby reducing the inflammatory response. Meanwhile, the neuroprotection, anti-inflammation, and anti-apoptosis effects of Neuritin were enhanced by MCC950 but partly counteracted by MSU. Conclusion: Neuritin may reduce brain injury after AIS by inhibiting the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome and then inhibiting the inflammatory response.