The effects of splenectomy in murine models of ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Scientific paper - Review paper

• Author: Marko Sternak
• Author: Anton Glasnović
• Author: Paula Josić
• Author: Dominik Romić
• Author: Srećko Gajović
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Croatian Institiute for Brain Research)
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Histology and Embryology)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Basic Medical Sciences; Cytology, Histology and Embryology
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Basic Medical Sciences; Neuroscience

Abstract (english)

Background: The spleen, a substantial reservoir of non-differentiated monocytes, may play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of post-ischemic inflammation and influence outcomes after ischemic stroke.
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Aim of the study: To analyze splenectomy as a preclinical intervention in murine models of ischemic stroke.
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Methods: Following systematic searches of PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science, a qualitative synthesis of study characteristics was performed, and the effect of splenectomy estimated by a three-level random-effects meta-analysis of infarct volumes and a conventional two-level random-effects meta-analysis of neurological deficit scores.
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Results: Database searches identified a total of 14 studies, 13 of which were used for meta-analysis. The ischemic lesion volumes were reduced in splenectomized animals compared to the control groups (difference in standardized mean differences: - 1.42; 95% CI [- 1.98, - 0.85]; 95% PI [- 2.03, - 0.80]; I2(2) = 19.04%; 95% CI [0.00%, 65.49%]; I2(3) = 47.24%; 95% CI [0.00%, 85.23%]) and neurological deficit scores were improved (- 1.20; 95% CI [- 2.20, - 0.20]; 95% PI [- 4.58, 2.18]; I2 = 77.5%; 95% CI [50.0%, 89.9%]). A subgroup analysis for infarct volumes showed that splenectomy performed prior to ischemia achieved a higher reduction of the ischemic lesion than when splenectomy was performed immediately prior or after stroke. Although the overall effect size of splenectomy could be classified as large, there was a significant presence of risks of bias, study heterogeneity, and a potential presence of publication bias.
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Conclusion: Despite limitations related to heterogeneity, risks of bias, and potential publication bias, this meta-analysis points to the spleen and its functional cell populations as promising targets for the therapeutic modulation of post-stroke inflammation.

• Keywords (english): Animals; Brain Ischemia / surgery; Disease Models, Animal; Infarction; Inflammation; Ischemic Stroke / surgery; Mice; Splenectomy; Stroke / drug therapy
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Review paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Journal of Neuroinflammation
• Numbering: vol. 19, no. 1, 233
• e-ISSN: 1742-2094
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-022-02593-w
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:054063
• Publication: 2022-09-23
• Project: Number: KK.01.1.1.01.0007; Title (english): Eksperimentalna i klinička istraživanja hipoksijsko-ishemijskog oštećenja mozga u perinatalnoj i odrasloj dobi; Leader: Ivica Kostović; Jurisdiction: eu
• Document URL: https://jneuroinflammation.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12974-022-02593-w
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2023-02-10 10:24:29