Protective effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Rattus norvegicus ischemic stroke model

Stroke is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in all ages. Ischemic stroke activates excitotoxic glutamate cascade leading to brain tissue injury. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a unicellular yeast widely found in nature. S. cerevisiae is neuroprotective and able to increase the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) into neuronal cells. it may increase levels of neuroprotectant BDNF in the brain tissue, therefore increase the protection of neurons. BDNF may prevent glutamate-driven excitotoxicity by reducing glutamate levels. This study uses a randomized post-test only controlled group design. In this in vivo study, rodent models of ischemic stroke were divided into five groups comprising of the negative control group, positive control group, intervention group 1 (18mg/kgBW), intervention group 2 (36mg/kgBW) and intervention group 3 (72 mg/kgBW). Groups treated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract showed significantly increased BDNF levels in the brain tissue, and the expression of the glutamate level was significantly reduced (P <0.05) compared to the positive control group. Thus Saccharomyces cerevisiae has a promising potential to become a therapy against ischemic stroke disease. however further research is needed regarding the efficacy and toxicity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.