Remote ischemic conditioning of the brain: Phenomena and mechanisms

Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) is a short-term treatment with ischemia–reperfusion of any organ or limb to increase the resistance of tissues to ischemic or other lesions or general resistance of the body. According to modern ideas, the cerebroprotective effects of RIC operate via the neurohumoral mechanisms, systems of the inflammatory response, and modulatory peptides. The intracellular regulatory and receptor systems, kinase cascades, and genome are also involved. Activation of these mechanisms prevents calcium, glutamate, and oxidant overload of neurons in the brain and opening of the mitochondrial pores, triggering of anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory processes, and maintenance of energy metabolism and synaptic plasticity. Based on literature data we conclude that RIC is a simple, cheap, and efficient method of neuroprotection with great translational potential.