Multiparametric MRI Assessment of Melatonin's Effects on Neurovascular Unit of Neonatal Rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage

Motivation: Melatonin can alleviate hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) in newborns, but its effect on neurovascular unit (NVU) destruction in HIBD rats needs further investigation. Goal(s): Investigate the effect of melatonin on NVU after HIBD via HIBD rat model. Approach: MRI techniques combined with histologic methods were performed to analyze the effects of melatonin therapy on NVU in HIBD rats. Results: MRI showed abnormal hypointensity in the cerebral cortex of the injured side in the melatonin group, and the permeability surface-area product (PS) value decreased after melatonin treatment. Various histology revealed that NVU destruction on the injured side was alleviated in the melatonin group. Impact: Multiparametric MRI techniques combined with various histology experiments revealed that melatonin would attenuate NVU injury after HIBD. Additionally, melatonin could decrease MMP-9 expression, increase tight junction proteins, and reduce neuron damage.