The neuroprotective effect of a nitric oxide inhibitor in a rat model of focal cerebral ischaemia.
Recent data showed that glutamate toxicity in primary cortical cultures is mediated by nitric oxide. In order to investigate the effect of inhibition of NO synthase on focal cerebral ischaemia in rats, we studied the histological consequences of a middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion after post-operative treatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. We found a significant reduction of cortical (-43%) and striatal (-25%) necrotic volumes induced by MCA occlusion, indicating that NO synthesis plays an important role in the neurotoxic cascade leading to neuronal damage after focal cerebral ischaemia in rats.
Buisson
A
A
Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Faculté des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques, Université René Descartes, Paris, France.
Plotkine
M
M
Boulu
R G
RG
D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000758:Anesthesia; D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008297:Male; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; D009336:Necrosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D001120:Arginine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester