1
Return

Vitamin B12 attenuates post-ischemic brain fibrotic remodeling and suppresses MAPK1 signaling in male rats

delete2026-05-01
delete0
PRE
AI
H
Haiyun Wu
L
Li Zhou
X
X W Cai
Y
Yu Ren
Y
Yong Zhao
Q
Qinghuan Yang
J
Jiani Wang
Y
Yongjun Tan
Y
Yilin Wang
X
Xiao, Fangmei
X
Xinlei Xu
J
Jiagui Huang *
Q
Qin Yang *
DOI:10.1016/j.brainresbull.2026.111847delete
deleteOriginal
deleteOriginal request for help
deleteShare
deleteSave
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Ischemic stroke (IS) is a major global cause of mortality and disability, with fibrotic scar formation during disease progression markedly restricting neurological recovery. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) has been shown to improve short-term stroke outcomes; however, its regulatory role in long-term fibrotic remodeling, particularly its capacity to modulate specific molecular pathways, is incompletely understood. The present study integrated network pharmacology with drug-target Mendelian randomization (MR) to identify pivotal vitamin B12-related targets involved in post-ischemic fibrosis, yielding three candidate genes-ALDH2, CD40, and mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1). These targets were subsequently validated through molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, nomogram prediction, and in vivo experiments using the middle cerebral artery occlusion/ reperfusion (MCAO/R) rat model. The findings suggested that ALDH2 and CD40 act as protective factors, whereas MAPK1 serves as a risk-susceptible driver of post-ischemic fibrotic remodeling. Reverse MR emphasized MAPK1 as the most influential contributor to disease progression among these targets. In subacute MCAO/R male rats, vitamin B12 administration markedly suppressed MAPK1 expression, attenuated the expression of key fibrosis indicators (fibronectin, type I collagen, and alpha-smooth muscle actin), and improved motor recovery. Mechanistic analyses suggest that vitamin B12 may limit fibrotic scar deposition by coordinating a metabolism-immune-matrix regulatory network centered on MAPK1. These results provide a robust theoretical foundation for applying vitamin B12-based strategies to counteract post-ischemic fibrosis and establish MAPK1 as a promising therapeutic target for enhancing long-term neurological recovery in ischemic stroke.
Keywords:
Vitamin B12
Ischemic stroke
Fibrosis
Mendelian randomization
Network pharmacology
MAPK1

Journal

Brain Research Bulletin cover
Brain Research Bulletin
IF:
3.7
Papers:
6.8K
Citations:
1.2W

Organization

C
Chongqing Medical University
Scholars:
5.9K
Papers: 1.5K
Citations: 2.8W
Cited Papers

Cited Papers

Citing Papers

Citing Papers