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Updated: Apr 3, 2026
Controlled Cortical Impact Model for Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: August 5, 2014
Is genistein neuroprotective in traumatic brain injury?
Zahra Soltani1, Mohammad Khaksari2, Elham Jafari3
1Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Abstract:
The concerns about negative consequences of estrogen therapy have led to introduce other strategies to obtain estrogen's benefits in the brain. The present study tests the hypothesis that a major isoflavone of soy; genistein with estrogen-like activity can be neuroprotective in traumatic brain injury (TBI). The male Wistar rats were randomly divided to four groups: sham, TBI, vehicle and genistein. The TBI was induced by Marmarou method. The brain edema and the disruption of blood-brain-barrier (BBB) were evaluated 48 h post-TBI. Genistein (15 mg/kg) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was injected i.p., twice after TBI. The intracranial pressure (ICP), the motor performance, and the beam-walk task (WB) were determined before trauma, on trauma day (D0), and first (D1) and second (D2) days post-TBI. Genistein inhibited a development of brain edema and a BBB permeability in TBI animals. An increase of ICP and a defect in motor and WB performance were showed following TBI, in all times evaluated. An increase of ICP induced by TBI was suppressed by genistein on D1 and D2 times. Genistein improved a motor disorder induced by TBI, on D1 and D2 times. Also an increase of traversal time in WB task was suppressed by genistein in TBI animals, on D1 and D2 times. The results of this study demonstrated that genistein can be neuroprotective in TBI. Genistein inhibited the disruption of BBB, the brain edema and the increase of ICP, and the disturbance of neurobehavioral performance in TBI.
Insights
Genistein, a soy isoflavone, shows neuroprotective effects in traumatic brain injury (TBI) models. It reduces brain edema, blood-brain barrier disruption, and improves motor function after TBI.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Estrogen therapy has risks, prompting research into alternatives for brain benefits.
- Genistein, a soy isoflavone, possesses estrogen-like activity and is investigated for neuroprotection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test if genistein can be neuroprotective in a rat model of traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Main Methods:
- Male Wistar rats were subjected to TBI using the Marmarou method and divided into sham, TBI, vehicle, and genistein groups.
- Genistein (15 mg/kg) or DMSO was administered twice post-TBI.
- Brain edema, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, intracranial pressure (ICP), motor performance, and beam-walk task (WB) were assessed.
Main Results:
- Genistein significantly inhibited brain edema and BBB permeability in TBI rats.
- Genistein suppressed the increase in ICP and improved motor and WB task performance on days 1 and 2 post-TBI.
- TBI induced increased ICP, motor deficits, and WB task impairments, which were mitigated by genistein.
Conclusions:
- Genistein demonstrates neuroprotective properties in TBI.
- Genistein mitigates key pathological and functional deficits following TBI, including BBB disruption, brain edema, ICP elevation, and neurobehavioral disturbances.
