Effects of ethyl pyruvate administration on female rats' pyramidal cells of cornu ammonis after brain ischemia: a stereological and histopathological study

Abstract

Aim: Since ethyl pyruvate (EP) is a known neuroprotective agent, this study was intended to investigate the effects of EP on pyramidal cell numbers and morphology in the hippocampus cornu ammonis after brain ischemia.

Materials and methods: Female rats were divided into 5 groups: control, ischemia, ischemia + EP, incision + EP, and incision + Ringer's lactate (groups I, II, III, IV, and V, respectively). No intervention was performed in group I. Ischemia was established in groups II and III, and neck incisions were performed in groups IV and V. EP was intraperitoneally injected in groups III and IV. Ringer's lactate was also administered to group V. Brains were evaluated stereologically and histopathologically.

Results: The total number of pyramidal cells in group II was significantly lower than those in groups I, IV, and V. The total number of pyramidal cells in group III was significantly lower than those in groups I and IV.

Conclusion: Ischemia reduces the number of pyramidal cells in the cornu ammonis, and EP has no effect on the number of pyramidal cells in the 16-week-old female rat cornu ammonis after brain ischemia.