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