CSPC's Three Latest Research Findings of Class 1 New Drug Selected for World Stroke Congress (WSC) (I)

The 14th World Stroke Congress (WSC) was held in Singapore from October 26-29, 2022, by the World Stroke Organization (WSO).

The three latest research findings of CSPC's class I new drug, Butylphthalide (NBP), for treating acute ischemic stroke, were selected for this Congress.

Today, we will present the first finding.

Paper Information

Title: DL-3-n-ButylphthalideReduced Inflammasome In Microglia In Mice After Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion

Abstract ID: 1191 (P181)

Corresponding author: Yang Guoyuan

Organization: Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Background

Recent studies have shown that inflammasomes, including NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1, are critical factors in initiating inflammation that causes brain injury and neuronal apoptosis after ischemic stroke. Butylphthalide (NBP) has been proven to reduce inflammation in the acute phase of stroke. However, its relationship with the inflammasomes remains unknown.

Methodology

Adult male ICR mice were selected for 90 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion. The mice were randomly divided into two groups: The NBP group received a gavage of NBP 100 mg/kg on Day 1 and Day 2 after ischemia, and the OIL group received a gavage of an equal volume of oil by the same operation. By observing the relationship between the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome and neuronal apoptosis, the effect of NBP on the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome was explored.

Findings

It was found that NBP treatment significantly inhibited the expression of NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1. Both the number of ASC-positive microglia and the number of Caspase-1 and TUNEL double-positive neurons were significantly reduced on Day 3 after the stroke.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the relationship between NBP and the NLRP3 inflammasome in vivo and in vitro. It is shown that NBP can reduce the expression of inflammasome-associated proteins and ASC in microglia, thereby reducing the inflammatory response after tMCAO, reducing neuronal apoptosis, and ultimately improving the prognosis of neurological function.

About WSC

The World Stroke Organization (WSO) is a world-leading stroke prevention and treatment organization focusing on stroke. The mission of WSO is to reduce the global burden of stroke disease through effective prevention, better treatment, long-term support, and education and research. The WSO currently has over 90 society members and over 4,000 individual members from over 90 countries/regions, representing over 55,000 stroke specialists. WSO organizes an annual World Stroke Congress (WSC) that seeks to provide participants with an opportunity to improve their skills and knowledge in the field of stroke, conduct good communication and enhance scientific collaboration, and further improve the care for stroke patients worldwide.

This year's WSC was held offline for the first time since the pandemic, attracting more than 4,200 experts in the field of stroke from more than 100 countries/regions.