Summary
The effects of nilvadipine, a Ca2+ entry blocker, on focal cerebral ischemia were investigated in rats having unilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion. All rats had 24 h ischemia, and were divided into threegroups (ten rats per group). Groups 1 and 2 received 1.0 and 3.2 mg/kg nilvadipine s.c. respectively, just after the occlusion. Control rats received an equal volume of the vehicle. Control animals had a % infarct volume of 28.2 ± 11.4%,and a left/right hemispheric volume ratio of 112 ± 12 %. Group-1 and -2 rats had % infarct volumes of 25.5 ±11.6% and 13.9 ±9.2% (p<0.01) respectively, and left/right hemispheric volumeratios of 111 ± 9% and 103 ± 7% (p < 0.05), respectively. Thus, the drug reduced the infarct size and the brain edema in a dose-dependent manner. The significant decrease in the infarct volumewas observed in the periphery of the frontoparietal cortex. This study supports the hypothesis that nilvadipine may be a potential therapeutic agent for cerebral ischemia. Neuropathological findings suggest the possible therapeutic effects of the drug in the ischemic penumbra.
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Kawamura, S., Yasui, N., Shirasawa, M. et al. Effects of a Ca2+ entry blocker (nilvadipine) on acute focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Exp Brain Res 83, 434–438 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00231169
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00231169