Soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibition Promotes White Matter Integrity and Long-Term Functional Recovery after chronic hypoperfusion in mice

Sci Rep. 2017 Aug 10;7(1):7758. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-08227-z.

Abstract

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion induced cerebrovascular white matter lesions (WMLs) are closely associated with cognitive impairment and other neurological deficits. The mechanism of demyelination in response to hypoperfusion has not yet been fully clarified. Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is an endogenous key enzyme in the metabolic conversion and degradation of P450 eicosanoids called epoxyeicosatrienoic acids. Inhibition of sEH has been suggested to represent a prototype "combination therapy" targeting multiple mechanisms of stroke injury with a single agent. However, its role in the pathological process after WMLs has not been clarified. The present study was to investigate the role of a potent sEH inhibitor, 1-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-3-(1-propionylpiperidin-4-yl) urea (TPPU), on multiple elements in white matter of mice brain after chronic hypoperfusion. Adult male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to bilateral carotid artery stenosis (BCAS) to induce WMLs. Administration of TPPU significantly inhibited microglia activation and inflammatory response, increased M2 polarization of microglial cells, enhanced oligodendrogenesis and differentiation of oligodendrocytes, promoted white matter integrity and remyelination following chronic hypoperfusion. Moreover, these cellular changes were translated into a remarkable functional restoration. The results suggest that sEH inhibition could exert multi-target protective effects and alleviate cognitive impairment after chronic hypoperfusion induced WMLs in mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carotid Stenosis / complications
  • Carotid Stenosis / drug therapy*
  • Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases / etiology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Epoxide Hydrolases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Phenylurea Compounds / pharmacology
  • Phenylurea Compounds / therapeutic use*
  • Piperidines / pharmacology
  • Piperidines / therapeutic use*
  • White Matter / drug effects*
  • White Matter / metabolism

Substances

  • 1-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-3-(1-propionylpiperidine-4-yl)urea
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Phenylurea Compounds
  • Piperidines
  • Epoxide Hydrolases