PMID-19633950 – Semax Activates Neurotrophin Transcription After Cerebral Ischemia
Dmitrieva VG et al., "Effects of Semax and its Pro-Gly-Pro fragment on the expression of genes regulating the neurotrophin system in the rat brain during focal ischemia," Cell Mol Neurobiol, 2010;30(7):1071-1078. DOI: 10.1007/s10571-009-9432-0
Quick Reference
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| PMID | 19633950 |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10571-009-9432-0 |
| Year | 2010 |
| Journal | Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology |
| Study Type | Animal in vivo |
| Evidence Level | V |
| Sample | Rat permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) stroke model |
| Peptide(s) Studied | Semax |
Key Findings
- Semax and its C-terminal PGP (Pro-Gly-Pro) fragment both activated neurotrophin and neurotrophin receptor gene transcription in the ischemic cortex at 3, 24, and 72 hours post-stroke.
- Semax showed selective effects on ischemic tissue, upregulating neurotrophins preferentially in the penumbral zone compared to contralateral cortex.
- The PGP fragment produced more non-specific, widespread transcriptional effects, suggesting that the full Semax molecule confers greater therapeutic precision in ischemic conditions.
Study Design
Rats underwent permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) to model ischemic stroke. Semax or its PGP fragment was administered intranasally, and neurotrophin gene expression (BDNF, NGF, NT-3, and their receptors TrkA, TrkB, TrkC, p75NTR) was measured by RT-PCR in ischemic and contralateral cortex at 3, 24, and 72 hours post-occlusion.
Limitations
- Permanent occlusion model does not capture reperfusion injury dynamics seen clinically.
- Gene expression changes were measured at mRNA level only; protein-level confirmation was not performed.
Clinical Relevance
Demonstrates that Semax can activate neuroprotective neurotrophin pathways specifically in ischemic brain tissue, supporting its clinical use in acute stroke management — consistent with its approved indication for ischemic stroke treatment in Russia.
Related
#research #animal-in-vivo #evidence-level-V