Image source: UAB
News • From the brain to the abdomen
Stroke might affect arteries in other body regions
A study coordinated by Dr Francesc Jiménez-Altayó, researcher at the Institut de Neurociències of the Unitersitat Autònoma de Barcelona (INc-UAB) and at CIBERCV, shows that temporary lack of blood flow to the brain can lead to lasting changes in the small arteries of the abdomen in rats with high blood pressure.
The new study published in Life Sciences investigated the impact of transient cerebral ischaemia on peripheral blood vessels in hypertensive rats, as high blood pressure is the leading risk factor for stroke. Researchers induced a brief interruption of blood flow to the brain and examined its effect on the function and structure of mesenteric arteries. They measured the arteries' ability to contract and relax, along with structural changes like wall thickness, cell numbers, collagen content, and oxidative stress, at one and eight days after blood flow was restored.
This opens the door to further research into whether [SAHA] could also reduce stroke-related brain damage in hypertensive patients
Francesc Jiménez-Altayó
To address these changes, the team tested the administration of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) during the restoration of blood flow. The drug successfully prevented some of the early arterial changes and provided long-term protection against brain damage caused by transient ischemia. “These findings are particularly promising since SAHA is already approved for treating a type of cancer, and in this study, we used doses equivalent to those given to humans”, explained Andrea Díaz-Pérez, lead author of the study and researcher at the INc-UAB. “This opens the door to further research into whether it could also reduce stroke-related brain damage in hypertensive patients. However, more studies are needed to fully understand its long-term effects on blood vessels”, added Dr. Jiménez-Altayó, professor in the Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology at the UAB.
This research provides new insights into how temporary blood flow interruptions in the brain can affect blood vessels outside the central nervous system, particularly in hypertensive conditions. It also highlights the potential of SAHA as a protective agent against stroke-related brain damage. Nonetheless, further work is needed to develop strategies that fully prevent persistent vascular damage throughout the body.
The study was coordinated by researchers at the INc-UAB and the Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), was conducted in collaboration with multiple institutions, including the Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics, and Toxicology at the UAB, the UAB Magnetic Resonance Imaging Service, the Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBERBBN), the Biomedical Research Institute of Barcelona (IIBB-CSIC), the Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), the La Paz University Hospital Research Institute (IdiPaz), and the Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED).
Source: Unitersitat Autònoma de Barcelona
01.12.2024
