Apotransferrin's Potential in Early Stroke Therapy Revealed

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Providing mice models affected by intracerebral hemorrhage with human apotransferrin can alleviate the detrimental impact of this severe stroke variant ().

This finding highlights the promising role of apotransferrin as a pre-hospital and pre-triage frontline treatment for all stroke patients. The study has been published in the journal Antioxidants.

Addressing the Dual Nature of Strokes and Their After-Effects

Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide. This medical condition has two primary forms: ischemic, caused by a blockage cutting off the blood supply to the brain, and hemorrhagic, characterized by bleeding within or around the brain. Scientists have been on a quest to find effective treatments that can mitigate the after-effects that many stroke patients suffer.

‘Researchers discovered that apotransferrin's role in defending against ferroptosis, an iron-dependent cell death process, might signal a pivotal shift in early-stage stroke treatments. #stroke #hemorrhage’

When a brain blood vessel ruptures, the leaked blood releases iron from hemoglobin, causing severe oxidative damage to the brain. This iron overload sets off a chain reaction of stress on the brain cells, leading to their death and resulting in loss of brain function in the affected regions.

Historically, the detrimental effects of excess iron in the brain following a stroke have been well documented. Attempts to counteract this with iron-binding treatments have been made, with iron chelators -drugs used to treat iron overload from frequent blood transfusions- like deferoxamine being considered for their protective potential in stroke cases.

Apotransferrin's Longevity in Ischemic Stroke Models

Building on this concept, previous research conducted by IGTP's Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology (CMN) group, led by Dr Teresa Gasull and Dr Octavi Mart�-Sistac, demonstrated the protective effects of the protein apotransferrin in models of ischemic stroke. Unlike deferoxamine and other drugs with fleeting lifespans in the bloodstream, apotransferrin offers a prolonged protective window due to its extended half-life, marking a significant stride over transient treatments.

In their latest study in mice, the team have used this protein on the less-studied yet more devastating type of stroke: intracerebral hemorrhage. The study reveals the benefits of an apotransferrin-based treatment in mitigating the damaging effects of this cerebral event.

Researchers have found that apotransferrin's role in guarding against ferropoptosis - an iron-dependent cell death process recently described - could represent a turning point in how strokes are treated in the early stages, especially en route to the hospital, providing critical intervention during the golden hour.

"The study paves the way for further research to determine the therapeutic potential and safety profile of apotransferrin in clinical studies in stroke patients", concludes Alexia Garc�a-Serran, predoctoral researcher at IGTP and first author of the study.

Reference:

1. Targeting Pro-Oxidant Iron with Exogenously Administered Apotransferrin Provides Benefits Associated with Changes in Crucial Cellular Iron Gate Protein TfR in a Model of Intracerebral Hemorrhagic Stroke in Mice - (https:www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/12/11/1945)

Source: Eurekalert