title: Protective effect of piracetam against PGF2 alpha-impaired cerebral resistance to hypoxia.
abstract: The protective effect of piracetam against PGF2 alpha-impaired cerebral resistance to hypoxia was investigated by EEG study in relaxed and artificially ventilated cats. Asphyxic anoxia was performed after 5 min of intracarotid (i.c.) or i.v. infusion of 10 micrograms/kg/min PGF2 alpha before and 30 min after piracetam (100 mg/kg i.v.). The following parameters were determined: cortical resistance (CRs)--as time between stopping the ventilation and the extinction of EEG; cortical recovery (CRc) - as time between restitution of ventilation and reappearance of brain activity; anoxia resistance index (ARI) - as the ratio between these two parameters (CRs/Crc). Both the i.c. and i.v. infusion of PGF2 alpha led to a significant decrease in CRs and lengthening of CRc which resulted in a decrease in ARI. Piracetam reverses the PGF2 alpha-induced changes in asphyxic anoxia. The possible mechanism of piracetam's effect and the probable therapeutic value of the latter are considered.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D002415:Cats; D015237:Dinoprost; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D010889:Piracetam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011460:Prostaglandins F / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D011760:Pyrrolidinones / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D011460:Prostaglandins F; D011760:Pyrrolidinones; D015237:Dinoprost; D010889:Piracetam