Borneol Alleviates Polyethylene Microsphere-Induced Cerebral Microcirculatory Dysfunction with Reduced NET-Related...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Immunology

Background:

• Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) exacerbate thromboinflammation and microvascular obstruction in ischemic brain injury.
• Borneol exhibits anti-inflammatory and microcirculation-promoting properties, but its role in cerebral microcirculatory dysfunction and NETs is not well-defined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether borneol attenuates polyethylene microsphere-induced cerebral microcirculatory dysfunction in rats.
• To examine the association between borneol's effects and NET-related markers.

Main Methods:

• In vitro: Rat neutrophils stimulated with PMA +/- borneol.
• In vivo: Rats with polyethylene microsphere-induced cerebral microcirculatory dysfunction treated with borneol (0.1-0.4 g/kg).
• Assessed NET formation, neurological deficits, hemodynamics, microvascular perfusion, hemorheology, histopathology, inflammatory/oxidative stress markers, and NET-related molecules via immunofluorescence, ELISA, qPCR, and Western blotting.

Main Results:

• Borneol inhibited PMA-induced NET formation in vitro.
• In vivo, borneol improved neurological scores, hemodynamics, microvascular perfusion, hemorheology, and reduced histopathological injury.
• Borneol decreased serum TNF-α, IL-1β, ROS, cerebral MPO/CitH3 signals, and downregulated MPO, PAD4, CitH3, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, ICAM-1, and MIP2.

Conclusions:

• Borneol alleviates polyethylene microsphere-induced cerebral microcirculatory dysfunction by reducing NET-related markers.
• As borneol was administered prophylactically, results require cautious interpretation regarding post-insult therapeutic potential.