Background: The motivation of this study was to more precisely define the in vivo role of astrocytes in forebrain ischemia. Controversy exists in the literature as to whether they protect or injure neurons in this setting.
Methods: Astrocytes in the rat hippocampus were disabled with stereotactic administration of a gliotoxin, ethidium bromide, 3 days prior to induction of forebrain ischemia. The extent of neuronal injury in this group was compared to a control category receiving intrahippocampal saline only.
Results: Saline-injected animals demonstrated decreased hippocampal CA1 sector injury, and increased gliosis on the side of the injection compared to the contralateral side (P < 0.01) or ethidium bromide-treated animals (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: The results suggest that activated astrocytes are protective to neurons subjected to an ischemic insult. This may result from their ability to elaborate neurotrophic factors, buffer potassium and metabolize a variety of neurotransmitters.