Pediatric research
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Caspases are believed to play a key role in the delayed neuronal cell death observed in the rat brain after hypoxic-ischemic (HI) insult. Caspase inhibitors have been developed as antiapoptotic agents. Hippocampal damage after HI insult is strongly related to tissue temperature, and systemic hypothermia has been introduced clinically for brain protection. ⋯ The number of neuronal cells in the ipsilateral hippocampal CA1 region in the HI-37 degrees C group was significantly decreased (62.9% versus control). The number of neuronal cells was maintained in the HI-37 degrees C + BAF group (82.7%), the HI-29 degrees C group (78.7%), and the combination group (95.2%) (p < 0.05 versus HI-37 degrees C). A combination of systemic hypothermia and BAF produced a strong protective effect against neuronal damage in the developing rat brain, along with a reduction in caspase-3 activity.