3',4'-Dihydroxy Flavonol (DiOHF) Exerting a Positive Effect on Neurogenesis and Retinal Damage in Experimental Brain Ischemia-Reperfusion of Rats

Introduction: Brain ischemia-reperfusion can cause serious and irreversible health problems. Recent studies have suggested that certain flavonoids may help stabilize the correctly folded structure of the visual photoreceptor protein rhodopsin and offset the deleterious effect of retinitis pigmentosa mutations. Objective: The current study aimed to determine the effect of 3',4'-Dihydroxyflavonol (DiOHF) supplementation for 1 week on lipid peroxidation in the retina tissue following focal brain ischemia-reperfusion in rats. Methods: This study was carried out on male Wistar-albino rats. A total of 28 rats were used in the research, and four groups were formed: Control group: no anesthesia or surgical procedure was applied to the animals in this group, Sham group: after general anesthesia was established in the animals in this group, the carotid artery areas were opened and closed, and the 1 ml vehicle was applied for 1 week, Ischemia-Reperfusion (IR) group: after the carotid arteries were isolated in rats under general anesthesia, ischemia was performed by ligating them for 30 minutes, and then reperfusion was applied for 1 week, and Ischemia-Reperfusion + DiOHF group: under general anesthesia, ischemia was developed in the carotid arteries of the rats by ligation for 30 minutes, and then DiOHF was applied along with reperfusion for 1 week. At the end of the study, retinal tissue taken from animals sacrificed under general anesthesia was analyzed for MDA and GSH. Retinal tissue was also examined for histology and neurogenesis. Results: The highest MDA value was determined in the ischemia group, and the lowest value in the control and sham groups. In group 4, this parameter was found to be significantly lower than in the IR group. Retinal GSH was very low in the IR group. However, 1-week DiOHF treatment increased the GSH values. Deteriorations also occurred in the histological structure of the retinal tissue, and neurogenesis was inhibited. However, treatment improved retinal damage and neurogenesis. Conclusion: The results of the current study showed that focal brain ischemia in rats caused significant retinal lipid peroxidation. However, 1-week DiOHF treatment suppressed the increased lipid peroxidation by increasing GSH levels. Moreover, treatment improved retinal damage and neurogenesis.