Acta Pharmacologica Sinica 2006 December; 27 (12): 1553-1560; doi: 10.1111/j.1745-7254.2006.00458.x

Aim: To determine whether cysteinyl leukotriene receptors (CysLT₁ and CysLT₂) are upregulated in acute neuronal injury after focal cerebral ischemia in mice, and to confirm CysLT₁ receptor localization.

Methods: After permanent focal cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), neurological deficits and neuron loss were determined at various time points within 48 h. The mRNA expressions of CysLT₁ and CysLT₂ receptors in the brain were analyzed by RT-PCR. CysLT₁ receptor localization was detected by double immunofluorescence.

Results: Neurological deficits and neuron loss were found 6, 24 and 48 h after MCAO. The mRNA expressions of both CysLT₁ and CysLT₂ receptors were upregulated in the ischemic hemisphere 1, 24, and 48 h after MCAO with peaks at 24 h. The CysLT₁ receptor was selectively localized in neurons 24 h after MCAO.

Conclusion: CysLT₁ and CysLT₂ receptors are upregulated in acute neuronal injury after focal cerebral ischemia, and the CysLT₁ receptor is localized in neurons after ischemia.

Keywords: cysteinyl leukotriene receptor; cerebral ischemia; neuronal injury; mRNA expression