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Silymarin administration after cerebral ischemia improves survival of obese mice by increasing cortical BDNF and IGF1 levels.

Frontiers in aging neuroscience
May 5, 2024
Yesica María Rodríguez-Cortés et al. (5 authors)
Journal ArticleAnimal Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to determine if silymarin could improve obesity-induced neuroinflammation and post-stroke outcomes in obese mice.

Results Summary

Silymarin improved glucose metabolism, survival rates, and increased levels of neurotrophic factors (BDNF, IGF1) and anti-inflammatory markers (IL4, IL10) in obese mice with stroke, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits for neuroinflammation and stroke recovery.

Population

Male C57/Bl6 mice on a high-fat diet (obesity model) with induced cerebral ischemia.

Effective Dosage

100 mg/kg, administered orally.

Duration

14 days.

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (14)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
high-fat diet (HFD)
increase
weight
Male C57/Bl6 mice
-
gained significantly more weight
#1
high-fat diet (HFD)
neutral
glucose metabolism
Male C57/Bl6 mice
-
exhibited altered
#2
silymarin treatment
increase
glucose metabolism
Male C57/Bl6 mice on HFD
-
improved
#3
high-fat diet (HFD)
decrease
survival rate
Male C57/Bl6 mice with stroke
52.2%
was significantly lower
#4
-
neutral
survival rate
control mice with stroke
86%
-
#5
silymarin treatment
increase
survival rate
non-diet control mice with stroke
95.7%
improved survival
#6
silymarin treatment
increase
survival rate
HFD mice with stroke
78.3%
improved survival
#7
silymarin
increase
cortical TNFα levels
HFD group with stroke
-
raised
#8
silymarin
increase
cortical IL4 levels
HFD group with stroke
-
raised
#9
silymarin
increase
cortical IL10 levels
HFD group with stroke
-
raised
#10
silymarin
increase
cortical IGF1 levels
HFD group with stroke
-
raised
#11
silymarin
increase
cortical BDNF levels
HFD group with stroke
-
raised
#12
silymarin
increase
cortical CX3CL1 levels
HFD group with stroke
-
raised
#13
silymarin
no change
striatum levels
HFD group with stroke
-
did not present relevant differences
#14
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Obesity is associated with a systemic inflammatory state that contributes to neuroinflammation and increases the risk of stroke at an early age. Stroke is the third leading cause of death worldwide and the leading cause of permanent disability. This work aimed to assess whether obesity-induced neuroinflammation can be a prognostic stroke factor that can be improved with oral administration of silymarin, an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective drug. METHODS: Male C57/Bl6 mice were used to establish an obesity model through a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks. Cerebral ischemia was performed with photothrombosis in the left motor cortex at the end of the diet. Following the induction of ischemia, silymarin (100 mg/kg) was administered orally for 14 days. Levels of pro-inflammatory (IL1β, TNFα, and MCP1) and anti-inflammatory markers (IL4, IL10), neurotrophic factors (IGF1, BDNF), and CX3CL1 were assessed in the cortex and striatum using ELISA. RESULTS: Mice on the HFD gained significantly more weight than control subjects and exhibited altered glucose metabolism, which was improved after silymarin treatment. The survival rate was significantly lower in HFD mice (52.2%) compared to control mice (86%). Silymarin treatment improved survival in both ischemic groups (non-diet control: 95.7%, HFD: 78.3%). Silymarin raised cortical TNFα, IL4, IL10, IGF1, BDNF, and CX3CL1 levels in the HFD group with stroke, while the striatum did not present relevant differences. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that silymarin improves glucose metabolism, possibly impacting post-stroke survival in obese mice. The increased levels of neurotrophic factors BDNF and IGF1, along with microglial regulatory factor CX3CL1, may contribute to the improved survival observed. These results indicate that silymarin could be a potential therapeutic option for managing neuroinflammation and enhancing post-stroke outcomes in obese individuals.

Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality75/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score1.75
Normalized Score0.69
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