Neuroprotective effects of colchicine in the gerbil model of cerebral ischaemia.
The tropolonic alkaloid colchicine significantly reduces the behavioural, electroencephalographic and histological damage seen after a 6-min occlusion of the two common carotid arteries of the Mongolian gerbil if the compound is administered at 2 or 4 mg/kg i.p. immediately upon reperfusion. A 45% increase in high-frequency ECoG activity and significant reduction of 80% in the hypermotility of the gerbils, with 63% less faults in a passive avoidance paradigm, were observed in conjunction with considerable protection of the hippocampus, after a single dose of 4 mg/kg colchicine. No adverse effects of colchicine treatment on animal movement and body weight were observable. Colchicine's possible mode of action, via inhibition of cellular transport systems, is discussed.
Pratt
J
J
Department of Biology, Rhône-Poulenc Rorer, Centre de Recherche de Vitry-Alfortville (CRVA), Vitry-sur-Seine, France.
Roux
M
M
Henneguelle
E
E
Stutzmann
J M
JM
Laduron
P M
PM
D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000502:physiology; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D003078:Colchicine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D005849:Gerbillinae; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects
D003078:Colchicine