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Neuroprotective potentials of candesartan, atorvastatin and their combination against stroke induced motor dysfunction

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Abstract

Cerebral ischaemia is a leading cause of death and disability. The objective of the present investigation was to explore the neuroprotective potentials of candesartan and atorvastatin alone and their combination against the cerebral ischaemia induced behavioral, biochemical, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Male Wistar rats (200–220 g) were subjected to bilateral common carotid artery occlusion for 30 min followed by 24 h reperfusion. Candesartan (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg) and atorvastatin (10 and 20 mg/kg) were pretreated for 7 days before animals were subjected to ischaemia reperfusion injury. Various behavioral tests (locomotor activity and rotarod performance), biochemical parameters (Malondialdehyde levels, nitrite concentration, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity, redox ratio, and GST) and mitochondrial enzyme (Complex I, II, III, and IV) dysfunctions were measured in cerebral cortex, striatum and hippocampus of the ischaemic brain. Seven days candesartan (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg) or atorvastatin (10 and 20 mg/kg) pretreatment significantly attenuated neurobehavioral alterations, oxidative damage and restored mitochondrial enzyme dysfunction as compared to control (I/R) group. Further, combined treatment of candesartan (0.1 mg/kg) and atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) significantly potentiated their protective effect which was significant as compared to their effect alone. Present study suggests the protective effect of candesartan and atorvastatin and their combination against ischaemia reperfusion induced behavioral and biochemical alterations in rats.

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Acknowledgments

Authors gratefully acknowledged the financial support of University Grant Commission (U.G.C.), New Delhi for carrying out this work. The Research Fellowship in Science for Meritorious Student (Vaibhav Gaur) of the University Grant Commission (U.G.C.), New Delhi, is gratefully acknowledged. Authors kindly acknowledge CIREX Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Hyderabad for providing the gift sample of drugs.

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  1. Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC Centre of Advanced Study, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 160014, India

    Vaibhav Gaur & Anil Kumar

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  1. Vaibhav Gaur
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  2. Anil Kumar
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Correspondence to Anil Kumar.

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Gaur, V., Kumar, A. Neuroprotective potentials of candesartan, atorvastatin and their combination against stroke induced motor dysfunction. Inflammopharmacol 19, 205–214 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-010-0068-y

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