Baicalein Attenuates Pyroptosis and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Following Spinal Cord Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via Autophagy Enhancement
Chenyu Wu, Hui Xu, Jiafeng Li, Xinli Hu, Xingyu Wang, Yijia Huang, Yao Li, Sunren Sheng, Yongli Wang, Huazi Xu, Wenfei Ni, Kailiang Zhou
Abstract
Background: Spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury (SCIRI) is the main complication after the repair of a complex thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. Many clinical treatments are not ideal due to the complex pathophysiological process of this injury. Baicalein (BA), a component derived from the roots of the herb Scutellaria baicalensis, may contribute to the successful treatment of ischemia / reperfusion injury. Purpose: In the present study, the effects of BA on spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury and the underlying mechanisms were assessed. Materials and methods: Spinal cord ischemia was induced in C57BL/6 mice by blocking the aortic arch. Fifty-five mice were then randomly divided into four groups: Sham, SCIR+Vehicle, SCIR+BA, and SCIR+BA +3MA groups. At 0 and 24 hours pre-SCIRI and at 24 hours and 7 days post-SCIRI, evaluations with the Basso mouse scale (BMS) were performed. On postoperative 24 hours, the spinal cord was harvested to assess pyroptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress mediated apoptosis and autophagy. Results: BA enhanced the functional recovery of spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury. In addition, BA attenuated pyroptosis, alleviated endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis, and activated autophagy. However, the effects of BA on the functional recovery of SCIRI, pyroptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis were reversed by the inhibition of autophagy. Conclusions: In general, our findings revealed that BA enhances the functional recovery of spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury by dampening pyroptosis and alleviating endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis, which are mediated by the activation of autophagy.