A Selenium Nanocomposite Protects the Mouse Brain from Oxidative Injury Following Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Yong Yang,^1,* Guoying Deng,^2,* Peng Wang,¹ Guangzhao Lv,¹ Rui Mao,¹ Yuhao Sun,³ Baofeng Wang,³ Xijian Liu,⁴ Liuguan Bian,³ Dong Zhou<sup>1

1</sup>Department of Neurosurgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, People’s Republic of China; ²Trauma Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201620, People’s Republic of China; ³Department of Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, People’s Republic of China; ⁴College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, 201620, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Liuguan Bian
Department of Neurosurgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 197 Rui Jin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, People’s Republic of China
Tel +86 21 64370045 Ext 666091
Fax +86 21 64333548
Email blg11118@rjh.com.cn
Dong Zhou
Department of Neurosurgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, No. 106 Zhongshan Er Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510080, People’s Republic of China
Tel +86 20 83827812 Ext 61521
Email zhoudong5413@163.com

Background: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a common neurological crisis leading to high mortality and morbidity. Oxidative stress-induced secondary injury plays a critical role in neurological deterioration. Previously, we synthesized a porous Se@SiO₂ nanocomposite and identified their therapeutic role in osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Whether this nanocomposite is neuroprotective remains to be elucidated.
Methods: A porous Se@SiO₂ nanocomposite was synthesized, and its biosafety was determined using a CCK-8 assay. The neuroprotective effect was evaluated by TUNEL staining, and intracellular ROS were detected with a DCFH-DA probe in SH-SY5Y cells exposed to hemin. Furthermore, the effect of the nanocomposite on cell apoptosis, brain edema and blood–brain barrier permeability were evaluated in a collagenase-induced ICH mouse model. The potential mechanism was also explored.
Results: The results demonstrated that Se@SiO₂ treatment significantly improved neurological function, increased glutathione peroxidase activity and downregulated malonaldehyde levels. The proportion of apoptotic cells, brain edema and blood–brain barrier permeability were reduced significantly in ICH mice treated with Se@SiO₂ compared to vehicle-treated mice. In vitro, Se@SiO₂ protected SH-SY5Y cells from hemin-induced apoptosis by preventing intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation.
Conclusion: These results suggested that the porous Se@SiO₂ nanocomposite exerted neuroprotection by suppressing oxidative stress. Se@SiO₂ may be a potential candidate for the clinical treatment of ICH and oxidative stress-related brain injuries.

Keywords: selenium nanocomposites, oxidative stress, blood–brain barrier, brain edema, apoptosis