Brain-derived neurotrophic factor protects against multiple forms of brain injury in bacterial meningitis

Bifrare, Yoeng-Delphine; Kummer, Jürg; Joss, Philipp; Täuber, Martin G.; Leib, Stephen (2005). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor protects against multiple forms of brain injury in bacterial meningitis. Journal of infectious diseases, 191(1), pp. 40-45. The University of Chicago Press 10.1086/426399

	Text J Infect Dis.-2005-Bifrare-40-5.pdf - Published Version Restricted to registered users only Available under License Publisher holds Copyright. Download (5MB)
Preview	Text 191-1-40.pdf - Other Available under License Publisher holds Copyright. Download (5MB) | Preview

BACKGROUND

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) blocks activation of caspase-3, reduces translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), attenuates excitotoxicity of glutamate, and increases antioxidant enzyme activities. The mechanisms of neuroprotection suggest that BDNF may be beneficial in bacterial meningitis.

METHODS

To assess a potentially beneficial effect of adjuvant treatment with BDNF in bacterial meningitis, 11-day-old infant rats with experimental meningitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae or group B streptococci (GBS) were randomly assigned to receive intracisternal injections with either BDNF (3 mg/kg) or equal volumes (10 mu L) of saline. Twenty-two hours after infection, brains were analyzed, by histomorphometrical examination, for the extent of cortical and hippocampal neuronal injury.

RESULTS

Compared with treatment with saline, treatment with BDNF significantly reduced the extent of 3 distinct forms of brain cell injury in this disease model: cortical necrosis in meningitis due to GBS (median, 0.0% [range, 0.0%-33.7%] vs. 21.3% [range, 0.0%-55.3%]; P<.03), caspase-3-dependent cell death in meningitis due to S. pneumoniae (median score, 0.33 [range, 0.0-1.0] vs. 1.10 [0.10-1.56]; P<.05), and caspase-3-independent hippocampal cell death in meningitis due to GBS (median score, 0 [range, 0-2] vs. 0.88 [range, 0-3.25]; P<.02). The last form of injury was associated with nuclear translocation of AIF.

CONCLUSION

BDNF efficiently reduces multiple forms of neuronal injury in bacterial meningitis and may hold promise as adjunctive therapy for this disease.

Interest & Impact

Downloads

135 since deposited on 01 Sep 2014
9 in the past 12 months

Citations

5 Citations in Web of Science ®
6 Citations in Scopus

Search

in Google Scholar™

Services

Actions (login required)

Edit item

Actions (login required)

Edit item