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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
Strategies for Study of Neuroprotection from Cold-preconditioning
Published on: September 2, 2010
Glucosylceramide synthase activity and ceramide levels are modulated during cerebral ischemia after ischemic
Kenzo Takahashi1, Irene Ginis, Ryoji Nishioka
1Stroke Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Abstract:
After 24-hour middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in spontaneously hypertensive rats, brain ceramide level increased from baseline reached 595% (ischemic core) and 460% (perifocal/penumbral areas); brain glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) activities in these areas simultaneously decreased by 70% and 50%, respectively. Ten-minute MCAO preconditioning significantly attenuated 24-hour MCAO-induced ceramide accumulation by 40% to 60% in ischemic core and perifocal areas, and GCS activities improved by 60% to 70% in both areas. Thus, potentially toxic levels of brain ceramide induced by MCAO were attenuated to intermediate levels in preconditioned animals; brain GCS activity was relatively preserved. In ischemic tolerance, GCS appears to modulate otherwise high levels of brain ceramide.
