Phagocytosis is necessary to eliminate the hematoma after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH); however, release of proinflammatory mediators and free radicals during phagocyte activation is toxic to neighboring cells, leading to secondary brain injury. Promotion of phagocytosis in a timely and efficient manner may limit the toxic effects of persistent blood products on surrounding tissue and may be important for recovery after ICH.

Intrastriatal blood injection in rodents and primary microglia in culture exposed to red blood cells were used to model ICH and to study mechanisms of hematoma resolution and phagocytosis regulation by peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in microglia/macrophages.

Our study demonstrated that the PPARγ agonist, rosiglitazone, promoted hematoma resolution, decreased neuronal damage, and improved functional recovery in a mouse ICH model. Microglia isolated from murine brains showed more efficient phagocytosis in response to PPARγ activators. PPARγ activators significantly increased PPARγ‐regulated gene (catalase and CD36) expression, whereas reducing proinflammatory gene (tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β, matrix metalloproteinase‐9, and inducible nitric oxide synthase) expression, extracellular H₂O₂ level, and neuronal damage. Phagocytosis by microglia was significantly inhibited by PPARγ gene knockdown or neutralizing anti‐CD36 antibody, whereas it was enhanced by exogenous catalase.

PPARγ in macrophages acts as an important factor in promoting hematoma absorption and protecting other brain cells from ICH‐induced damage. Ann Neurol 2007;61:352–362