Therapies against
stroke can restore the blood supply but cannot prevent the ischemic damage nor stimulate the recovery of the infarcted zone. The
neuroglobin protein plays an important role in the neuro-regeneration process after
stroke; however, the method for its effective systemic application has not been identified yet, as
neuroglobin is unable to pass through the blood-brain barrier. Previously, we developed different types of
sodium hyaluronate nanoparticles, which successfully cross the blood-brain barrier after
stroke. In this work, these nanoparticles have been used to carry
neuroglobin through the bloodstream to the nerve cells in rats submitted to
stroke. We have biosynthesized rat-recombinant
neuroglobin and determined the formulation of
sodium hyaluronate nanoparticles loaded with
neuroglobin, as well as its size and ΞΆ-potential, encapsulation efficiently, in vitro release, and its kinetic of liberation. The results show that the formulation achieved is highly compatible with pharmaceutical use and may act as a delivery system to transport
neuroglobin within the blood. We have found that this formulation injected intravenously immediately after
stroke reached the damaged cerebral parenchyma at early stages (2 h).
Neuroglobin colocalizes with its nanocarriers inside the nerve cells and remains after 24 h of reperfusion. In conclusion, the systemic administration of
neuroglobin linked to nanoparticles is a potential
neuroprotective drug-delivery strategy after
stroke episodes.