Coumestrol treatment has potential benefits for either prevention or therapeutics use against cerebral ischemia in males. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Coumestrol treatment prevents Na+, K+ -ATPase inhibition and affords histological neuroprotection to male rats receiving cerebral global ischemia.
Neurol Res. 2014 Mar ;36(3):198-206. PMID: 24512013
Cibele Canal Castro
OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the possible mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of coumestrol, a potent isoflavonoid with antioxidant activities and binding affinities for both estrogen receptors (ER) ER-alpha and ER-beta that are comparable to those of 17beta-estradiol, in a model of global ischemia in male subjects.
METHODS: Wistar rats underwent global ischemia (10 minutes) or sham surgery and received a single intracerebroventricular (icv) infusion of 20μg of coumestrol or vehicle 1 hour before ischemia or 0, 3, 6, or 24 hours after reperfusion.
RESULTS: The data analysis revealed an extensive neuronal death in the CA1 hippocampal subfield at 7 days, and a significant decrease in the Na+, K+ -ATPase activity at 1 and 24 hours after ischemia, and both injuries were attenuated by coumestrol administration.
CONCLUSIONS: Coumestrol treatment was effective in preventing neuronal loss in all times of administration as well as able to rescue the Na+, K+ -ATPase activity, suggesting its potential benefits for either prevention or therapeutics use against cerebral ischemia in males.