Adenosine A3 receptor agonist reduces early brain injury in subarachnoid haemorrhage

Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of early brain injury after subarachnoid haemorrhage. Adenosine A3 receptor (A3R) activation produces anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, the effects of a selective A3R agonist, 2-chloro-N⁶-(3-iodobenzyl)-adenosine-5'-N-methyluronamide (CL-IB-MECA), on early brain injury and inflammatory response after subarachnoid haemorrhage were studied. Our results showed that mortality, neurological impairment and brain oedema were significantly attenuated after the administration of CL-IB-MECA. Moreover, treatment with CL-IB-MECA inhibited microglial activation and reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines including tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β. These data suggest that activation of A3R provides a neuroprotective effect against brain injury after subarachnoid haemorrhage, and that these effects may be associated with the anti-inflammatory properties of A3R.