title: Protective effect of beraprost sodium, a new chemically stable prostacyclin analogue, against the deterioration of baroreceptor reflex following transient global cerebral ischaemia in dogs.
abstract: 1. A possible cerebroprotective effect of a chemically stable prostacyclin analogue, beraprost sodium, was investigated in a canine model of cerebral ischaemia. Cerebral ischaemia was produced by the combined occlusions of the left subclavian and the brachiocephalic arteries with preceding ligations of the intercostal arteries. 2. The decrease in baroreceptor reflex sensitivity (BRS), measured by phenylephrine-induced reflex bradycardia, following 5 min ischaemia was used to assess the cerebroprotective effect. 3. Beraprost (1 microgram kg-1 min-1 i.v., infused for 15 min just before ischaemia) completely prevented the decrease in BRS. Although the lower dose of beraprost (0.1 microgram kg-1 min-1 i.v.) failed to show such a protective effect, its inhibitory effect on ADP-induced platelet aggregation was as potent as that of the higher dose. 4. The extent of decrease in BRS was inversely correlated with the extent of the residual blood flow in the medulla oblongata during ischaemia. Since beraprost did not affect the extent of the residual blood flow during ischaemia, its cerebroprotective effect could not be ascribed to the reduction of the degree of ischaemia by increasing collateral blood flow to the brain. 5. Post-ischaemic reduction of the regional blood flow in the medulla and the cerebral cortex was completely prevented by the higher dose of beraprost. 6. The present study suggests that the cerebroprotective effect of beraprost may be independent of its anti-aggregatory and vasodilator effects. It is possible that the protection may be due to a prostacyclin-like cytoprotective effect through membrane stabilization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kurihara
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sahara
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kato
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004285:Dogs; D004569:Electroencephalography; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D011311:Pressoreceptors / Q000187:drug effects*; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; C048081:beraprost; D011464:Epoprostenol