Dimethyl Fumarate Attenuates Lymphocyte Infiltration and Reduces Infarct Size in Experimental Stroke

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Ischemic stroke causes significant tissue damage through immune cell activation and inflammation.
• Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is known to modulate immune responses and activate antioxidant pathways.
• The precise effects of DMF on immune cells post-cerebral ischemia require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) on immune cell infiltration and brain damage following ischemic stroke in a mouse model.
• To assess the therapeutic potential of DMF in mitigating inflammation and tissue injury after stroke.

Main Methods:

• Male mice underwent transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) for 30 minutes.
• Mice received oral DMF (15 mg/kg) or vehicle immediately post-tMCAO, with continued administration for 7 days.
• Infarct volume, brain edema, and brain-infiltrating immune cells (lymphocytes, monocytes, microglia) were quantified.

Main Results:

• DMF treatment significantly reduced infarct volumes and brain edema.
• A notable decrease in lymphocyte infiltration was observed on day 1 post-tMCAO in DMF-treated mice compared to controls.
• No significant differences in monocyte or microglial cell counts were found between groups on days 1 or 7.

Conclusions:

• Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) demonstrates a therapeutic effect in the acute phase of ischemic stroke, primarily by attenuating lymphocyte infiltration.
• The observed reduction in lymphocyte infiltration may be attributed to DMF's blood-brain barrier (BBB) stabilizing properties.
• DMF shows promise as a potential therapeutic agent for reducing immune cell-mediated damage in stroke patients.