Effects of PPARγ agonist on calpain expression in model of acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

AIM: To explore the effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ （PPARγ） agonist on calcium-activated neutral proteinase, calpain, expression in the brain of rats with acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). METHODS: EAE model was established in rats by inoculating the homogenate contained spinal cord of guinea pig and complete Freunds adjuvant. Respectively, the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ibuprofen were used to treat the EAE rats. Outcome measures (Kohs scale) were applied at baseline and after treatment to assess the improvement of clinical symptoms. Calpain expression levels were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: All the groups showed significant improvements of scales scores after treatment with rosiglitazone and ibuprofen. No significant difference of the expression of calpain mRNA was found among EAE group, rosiglitazone and ibuprofen groups (P>0.05), but the expression of calpain reduced markedly in rosiglitazone and ibuprofen groups compared with that in EAE group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Rosiglitazone and ibuprofen inhibit the expression of calpain and improve the clinical symptoms of EAE rats. PPARγ agonist plays a neuroprotective role in EAE rats.