Effect of tocilizumab in subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced cerebral vasospasm of experimental rats

Year 2023, Volume: 6 Issue: 3, 699 - 704, 31.05.2023

Emir İzci , Fatih Keskin , Bulent Kaya , Fatma Hümryra Yerlikaya , Gökhan Cüce

https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1290161

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of tocilizumab (TCZ), a recombinant humanized, anti-human monoclonal antibody of the immunoglobulin G1k subclass, on vascular morphological changes, endothelial apoptosis, and the levels of pro-inflammatory and apoptotic cytokines, such as IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), caspase-3, Bcl-2 associated X-protein (BAX), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in a rat SAH model.
Material and Method: The rats were randomly assigned (animal study) to 4 groups KONÜDAM Experimental Animal Research Center, Necmettin Erbakan University, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey; 15/03/2019): (1) normal control (without SAH); (2) SAH (without treatment); (3) SAH treated with saline (SAH + Sal.); and (4) SAH treated with TCZ (SAH + Toc.). The tissues were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. A series of brain and basilar artery sections were categorized into several subgroups for hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, immunohistochemistry, and Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining.
Results: The levels of caspase, BAX, and IL-6 in the SAH + TOC group were significantly lower than in other groups. TCZ treatment significantly increased the lumen of the basilar artery compared with that in the SAH and SAH + SAL groups without treatment (p=0.002 and p=0.004 respectively). SAH increased the apoptotic index in the endothelium compared with TCZ treatment (p=0.027) groups.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that TCZ is safe and effective for treating experimental SAH. The results reveal clearly experimental evidence for the potential clinical application of TCZ in SAH patients.

Keywords

Subarachnoid hemorrhage, tocilizumab, vasospasm

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