p-Tyrosol Enhances the Production of New Neurons in the Hippocampal CA1 Field after Transient Global Cerebral Ischemia in Rats

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the regenerative effect of p-tyrosol in transient global cerebral ischemia modeled in adult male Wistar rats by reversible occlusion of the three major vessels originating from the aortic arch and supplying the blood to the brain. p-Tyrosol was administered intraperitoneally in a dose of 20 mg/kg over 10 days after surgery. The death of NeuN⁺ mature neurons and the number of newly formed DCX⁺ neurons were assessed in the CA1 field of the hippocampus that is highly susceptible to damage in this model. We found that ischemia induced death of more than 50% mature neurons in the hippocampal CA1 field (p<0.001). p-Tyrosol stimulated the formation and growth of new neurons in the normally non-proliferative CA1 region of the hippocampus (p<0.05) and produced a neuroprotective effect on mature neurons (p<0.01).