Whole Body Vibration Regulates Neuroinflammation via Sirt3 After Experimental Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) represents a severe subtype of hemorrhagic stroke and is associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes. Physical exercise is an effective behavioral intervention that reduces the risk of stroke and preserves neurological function. Whole-body vibration (WBV) is a straightforward form of physical exercise that requires minimal motor skill proficiency. It has positive effects on neuromuscular performance and cardiovascular responses.

The present study aims to investigate the potential protective effects of WBV on SAH-induced brain damage and neurological dysfunction in rats. WBV was administered using a vibration platform, with animals stimulation at 30 Hz for two sessions per day over a 30-day period. A modified endovascular perforation technique was employed to establish the in vivo SAH model.

WBV markedly decreased SAH-induced brain edema and inhibited levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and MitoSOX, two markers of oxidative stress. Immunostaining analyses demonstrated that WBV significantly attenuated microglial activation (at 24 and 72 h) and astrocytic activation (at 24 h) in the cortical region following SAH. Consistently, WBV markedly inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), in brain tissue and serum. WBV pretreatment significantly inhibited cortical neuronal apoptosis and downregulated caspase-1 activation at 24 h post-SAH. In addition, WBV activated Sirt3 following SAH, and its protective effects were partially prevented by the Sirt3 inhibitor 3-TYP.

Our present data indicate that WBV is a clinically potent strategy that protects against the SAH-induced brain damage and neurological dysfunction by regulating Sirt3 and neuroinflammation.