The protective effect of tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) after experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been demonstrated, as demonstrated by the inhibition of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis. However, the mechanisms underlying this effect are still not well understood. This study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of THC, and its potential mechanisms, in a rat model of TBI. To this end, rats were divided into 4 groups: the sham group, the TBI group, the TBI + vehicle (V) group, and the TBI + THC group. THC or V was administered via intraperitoneal injection to rats in the TBI + V and TBI + THC groups 30 min after TBI. After euthanasia (24 h after TBI), neurological scores, brain water content, and neuronal cell death in the cerebral cortex were recorded. Brain samples were collected after neurological scoring for further analysis. THC treatment alleviated brain edema, attenuated TBI-induced neuronal cell apoptosis, and improved neurobehavioral function. In addition, NFE2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression was upregulated following TBI. These results suggest that THC improves neurological outcome after TBI, possibly by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway.

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