Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 27, 2026
A Model for Encephalomyosynangiosis Treatment after Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion-Induced Stroke in Mice
Published on: June 22, 2022
Temporal association between NRF2/HO-1 activation, endogenous BDNF up-regulation, and motor recovery in a male mouse
Junghee Park1, Hyoin Hwang2, Hyekyoung Shin3
1Institute of Well-Aging Medicare & Chosun University G-LAMP Project group, Chosun University, Gwangju, 61452, Republic of Korea; Depertment of Biochemistry and Molecular biology, Chosun University, Gwang-ju, Republic of Korea.
Background:
Stroke induces severe neurological impairment, however, there is limited understanding of the mechanisms underlying post-stroke recovery. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) have been implicated in tissue responses to ischemic injury; however, their temporal interactions in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) models are not fully understood.
Methods:
Male C57BL/6 mice (7-8 weeks) were subjected to transient MCAO (tMCAO). Motor behavior, cerebral blood flow, and temporal changes in NRF2, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and BDNF expression were assessed over 14 days.
Results:
Cerebral blood flow in the ischemic cortex remained significantly reduced for up to 14 days after MCAO. Motor deficits were most severe on day 3 and showed gradual recovery by day 7. NRF2 expression peaked on day 3, whereas HO-1 and BDNF expression increased on days 7 and 14, coinciding with improved motor performance and increased neuronal preservation.
Conclusion:
These findings indicate that activation of the NRF2/HO-1 pathway is temporally associated with increased expression of endogenous BDNF and recovery of motor function following ischemic injury in male mice.
