title: Cerebroprotective effect of a non-N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist, NBQX, after focal ischaemia in the rat.
abstract: The cerebroprotective effect of the non-N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist, NBQX (2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoylbenzo(f)-quinoxaline.NA) on neurological deficit and infarct volume (visualised with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium) 24 h after permanent middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in Fischer rats (n = 6 per dose) was studied. NBQX (10, 20 or 30 mg Kg-1, i.p., 0,30,60 min) immediately after MCA occlusion reduced cortical infarct volume by 45% (not significant), 70% (p < 0.05) or 75% (p < 0.05) respectively. NBQX (30 mg Kg-1, i.p., 60, 90, 120 min) reduced cortical infarct volume by 58% (p < 0.05). With a 2 h delay NBQX was ineffective. Neurological deficits (with blinded assessment) were improved with immediate or delayed NBQX (3 x 30 mg Kg-1, i.p.). The main adverse behavioral effect of NBQX (3 x 20 or 3 x 30 mg Kg-1, p.i.) was ataxia. The cerebroprotective effect of NBQX in rats suggests a possible therapeutic role for non-N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists given shortly after stroke onset.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry, Denmark Hill, U.K.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Meldrum
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001259:Ataxia / Q000139:chemically induced; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000378:metabolism; D009433:Neural Inhibition; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011810:Quinoxalines; D016202:N-Methylaspartate