Objective: Since it can be activated by oxidative stress, the TRP melastatin 2 (TRPM2) channel has recently been established as a potential therapeutic target in the fight against oxidative stress-related diseases including diabetes, inflammation, myocardial infarction. The main objective of this study was to investigate the expression of TRPM2 cation channel and histopathological effects in rat cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model.

Materials and Methods: A total of 30 adult male Wistar-Albino rats were used in the study. The animals were divided into 5 groups. In the sham groups bilateral common carotid arteries were uncovered and the rats were decapitated at the 2nd and 6th hours of the experiment. In the ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) groups (I/R-2 and I/R-6), bilateral common carotid arteries were uncovered then were clamped using aneurysm clips for 45 min and reperfusion was induced for 2 and 6 hours, respectively. At the end of the experiment malondialdehyde (MDA) and TRPM2 mRNA levels were measured. The tissues were fixed in formalin solution and then administered routine histological follow-up series and embedded in paraffin blocks. The TUNEL method was used for the determination of apoptotic cells and the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex was used for the assessment of TRPM2 immunoreactivity.

Results: MDA, apoptosis, and TRPM2 levels were increased in the I/R groups, with a significant increase found in the I/R-6 group compared to the control group. Moreover, experimental ischemia-reperfusion cause an increase in the MDA, apoptosis, and TRPM2 levels in brain tissue.

Conclusion: TRPM2 may play a significant role in the pathophysiology of cerebral I/R injury.