Neuroprotective effect of CuATSM in mice stroke model by ameliorating oxidative stress

Cu-diacetyl-bis (N4-methylthiosemicarbazone) (CuATSM) has both anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities, but its therapeutic efficacy for oxidative stress has not been thoroughly investigated in acute ischemic stroke. Here, the present study was designed to assess the efficacies of CuATSM in acute ischemic stroke by comparing with the standard neuroprotective reagent edaravone. Mice were subjected to transient middle cerebral occlusion (tMCAO) for 60 min, and then intravenously administrated with CuATSM (1.5 mg/kg) or edaravone (3 mg/kg) just after the reperfusion, and examined at 1 and 3 d. Compared with the vehicle group, CuATSM treatment decreased infarct volumes and oxidative stress at 3d after tMCAO, which was further enhanced by combined CuATSM + edaravone treatment as compared with single CuATSM group, but not improve neurobehaviors. The present study demonstrated that CuATSM showed strong antioxidative and neuroprotective effects in acute ischemic stroke, which was enhanced by the combination with edaravone.