Erythropoietin potential as an antiapoptotic agent in ISCEMIC stroke using unilateral right common carotid artery occlusion (RUCCAO) model

Ischemic stroke is insufficient or interrupted of blood flow to an area of the brain, typically caused by blockage of an artery and can result in brain damaged. This study was aimed to investigate the efficacy of Recombinant Human Erythropoietin (rHuEPO) as a neuroprotection (antiapoptotic agent) on rat with ischemic stroke induced by right common carotid artery occlusion. Animals were divided into five groups included sham group, ischemic stroke group and treatment group of rHuEPO. rHuEPO was administered intravenously once a day for 7 days at dose 1000, 5000, 10000 IU/Kg a week after induced by right common carotid artery occlusion surgery. The repair of brain damage was evaluated by Y maze for cognitive repair, ladder rung walking and forelimb asymmetry test for motor repair, measured on day 0, 1, 3 and 7. The result showed that treatment with rHuEPO significantly enhanced spatial memory at 5000 and 10000 IU/Kg in day 7 compare to ischemic group (p = 0.0260, p = 0.0286 respectively) and improved motoric function in day 7 compare to ischemic group (p = 0.0064, p = 0.0102 respectively). rHuEPO significantly reduce area infarct at 1000 IU 5000 IU and 10000 IU/Kg compare to ischemic group (p = 0.0265, p = 0.0016 p = 0.0024 respectively). Furthermore, there were significant differences on caspase 3 expression in each group.