Involvement of matrix metalloproteinase-mediated proteolysis of neural cell adhesion molecule in the development of cerebral ischemic neuronal damage.

Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) is a membrane protein abundantly expressed in the central nervous system. Recently, it has been reported that dysfunction of NCAM is linked to human brain disorders. Furthermore, NCAM is one of the proteolysis targets of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), whose activation is implicated in neuronal damage.

The development of glucose intolerance after focal cerebral ischemia participates in subsequent neuronal damage.

Hyperglycemia is a known exacerbating factor in ischemic stroke; however, most information is limited to pre-ischemic hyperglycemia, while little is known about post-ischemic hyperglycemia. In addition, it has been clinically reported that hyperglycemia can develop after stroke, but the detailed mechanisms underlying this are unknown. Here, we focused on the relationship between post-ischemic hyperglycemia and the development of neuronal damage.