Therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke.

Possible strategies for treating ischemic stroke include: (1) Neuroprotection: preventing damaged neurons from undergoing apoptosis in the acute phase of cerebral ischemia; (2) Stem cell therapy: the repair of broken neuronal networks with newly born neurons in the chronic phase of cerebral ischemia. Firstly, we studied the neuroprotective effect of a calcium channel blocker, azelnidipine, or a by-product of heme degradation, biliverdin, in the ischemic brain. These results revealed both azelnidipine and biliverdin had a neuroprotective effect in the ischemic brain through their anti-oxidative property. Secondly, we investigated the role of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) by administering G-CSF to rats after cerebral ischemia and found G-CSF plays a critical role in neuroprotection. Lastly, we developed a restorative stroke therapy with a bio-affinitive scaffold, which is able to provide an appropriate environment for newly born neurons. In the future, we will combine these strategies to develop more effective therapies for treatment of strokes.