Potential neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) after axotomy in peripheral nerve of neonatal Wistar rats

• Grant number: 17/03408-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): May 01, 2017
• Effective date (End): April 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Cytology and Cell Biology
• Principal Investigator: Alexandre Leite Rodrigues de Oliveira
• Grantee: Moníze Valéria Ramos da Silva
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), a hydrophilic and nontoxic bile acid, resulting from the conjugation of ursodeoxycholic acid with the amino acid taurine, is one of the main components of biliary secretion in bears. Since ancient times, TUDCA has been used in the treatment of liver diseases, however, several studies point to its therapeutic efficacy in damages to the nervous system, especially in neurodegenerative diseases. According to the literature, the TUDCA would act in important cellular apoptosis pathways, in the control of inflammation and reduction of the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Nowadays, Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) nerve damage, due to limited motor regeneration and rare sensory regeneration, is the main cause of disability in people of productive age. New therapeutic alternatives, effective, low cost and with few adverse effects, are necessary to solve this problem and TUDCA could be one of them. The present study intends to evaluate the effects of treatment with TUDCA on nerve regeneration and neuroprotection in 2 day old rats divided into 4 experimental groups after unilateral sciatic nerve axotomy. According to the group, except the control group, doses of 250, 500 or 750 mg / kg / day of bile acid will be administered to the animals until the 7th day of life of them. The groups will be evaluated by immunohistochemical techniques and techniques of count of surviving neurons. (AU)