Iron accumulation and DNA damage in a pig model of intracerebral hemorrhage

Cerebral iron overload causes brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in rats and pigs. The current study examined whether an iron chelator, deferoxamine, can reduce ICH-induced DNA damage in pigs. Pigs received an injection of autologous blood into the right frontal lobe. Deferoxamine (50 mg/kg, i.m.) or vehicle was given 2 h after ICH and then every 12 h up to 7 days. Animals were killed at day 3 or day 7 after ICH to examine iron accumulation and DNA damage. We found that ICH resulted in the development of a reddish perihematomal zone, with iron accumulation and DNA damage within that zone. Deferoxamine treatment reduced the perihematomal reddish zone, and the number of Perls' (p<0.01) and TUNEL (p<0.01) positive cells. In conclusion, iron accumulates in the perihematomal zone and causes DNA damage. Systemic deferoxamine treatment reduces ICH-induced iron overload and DNA damage in pigs.