Study of the effects of celecoxib on brain lesions caused by experimental hydrocephalus

• Grant number: 20/07505-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2020
• End date: August 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Luiza da Silva Lopes
• Grantee: Maurício Dutra
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Hydrocephalus is a condition characterized by impaired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow and absorption. The blockage of this circulation results in enlargement of the cerebral ventricles and subsequent distortion of brain tissue. The commonly used treatment of hydrocephalus is ventriculo-peritoneal shunt surgery. However, since not all patients can be treated surgically immediately after diagnosis, and not all treated patients have complete lesion reversal, neuroprotective measures can be useful. This distortion of brain tissue has deleterious effects that include gliosis, impaired cerebral blood flow and an important neuroinflammatory response involving cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and the generation of prostaglandins. Studies have shown that COX-2 pharmacological blockade with selective inhibitors confers neuroprotection in laboratory animals. Therefore, the aim of this study will be to evaluate whether the use of celecoxib, specific COX-2 inhibitor, in hydrocephalic rats may offer benefits for brain structures affected by neuroinflammation in hydrocephalus. Seven-day-old Wistar Hannover rats submitted to hydrocephalus by intracisternal injection of 15% kaolin will be used. The animals will be divided into five groups with ten animals each and, to assess the response to treatment, behavioral tests, histological and immunohistochemical studies will be performed. The results of this work may indicate whether the administration of celecoxib exhibits some potential to be used as a complementary treatment in hydrocephalus.