Effects of venom defibrase on brain edema after intracerebral hemorrhage in rats.

We evaluated the effects of defibrase DF-521 batroxobin on reducing brain edema formation and the expression of ICAM-1, complement C3d and C9 in the perihematomal area after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in rats. A rat ICH model, involving infusion of autologous blood into the right basal ganglia, were used in this study. The animals were sacrificed at 24 and 72 hours after ICH to determine the water content of the brain tissue with wet/dry weight measurement. While the expression of ICAM-1 and complement C3d was detected using immuno-histochemistry, and C9 was detected semi-quantitatively with Western blot analysis in the perihematomal area. Perihematomal brain edema was reduced after intraperitoneally injection of DF-521 batroxobin 24 and 72 hours after intracerebral hemorrhage. Immunohistochemistry showed that there were less ICAM-I positive cells were found around the hematoma after intraperitoneally injection of DF-521 batroxobin 24 and 72 hours after ICH. Immuno-histochemistry also showed that C3d deposition reduced significantly, and the Western blot analysis also showed the content of C9 protein declined around the hematoma in DF-521 batroxobin treatment group at 72 hours after ICH. Defibrase DF-521 batroxobin down-regulate ICAM-1 and complement C3d and C9 expression in the perihematomal area, and attenuate brain edema formation in ICH rats.