Minocycline reduces reactive gliosis in the rat model of hydrocephalus

• Main Authors: Xu Hao, Tan Guowei, Zhang Shaolin, Zhu Hongwei, Liu Feng, Huang Caiquan, Zhang Feifei, Wang Zhanxiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2012-12-01
• Series: BMC Neuroscience
• Subjects: Hydrocephalus; Gliosis; Astrocytosis; Microgliosis; Minocycline
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2202/13/148

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Reactive gliosis had been implicated in injury and recovery patterns associated with hydrocephalus. Our aim is to determine the efficacy of minocycline, an antibiotic known for its anti-inflammatory properties, to reduce reactive gliosis and inhibit the development of hydrocephalus.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The ventricular dilatation were evaluated by MRI at 1-week post drugs treated, while GFAP and Iba-1were detected by RT-PCR, Immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The expression of GFAP and Iba-1 was significantly higher in hydrocephalic group compared with saline control group <it>(p < 0.05</it>). Minocycline treatment of hydrocephalic animals reduced the expression of GFAP and Iba-1 significantly (<it>p < 0.05</it>). Likewise, the severity of ventricular dilatation is lower in minocycline treated hydrocephalic animals compared with the no minocycline group (<it>p < 0.05</it>).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Minocycline treatment is effective in reducing the gliosis and delaying the development of hydrocephalus with prospective to be the auxiliary therapeutic method of hydrocephalus.</p>