Enoxaparin, a low molecular weight heparin decreases infarct size and improves sensorimotor function in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia.
Possible neuroprotective effects of the low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) enoxaparin sodium (Lovenox) were evaluated in a rat model of focal ischemia. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 90 min of occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery using the intraluminal suture method. Enoxaparin at doses of 0, 10 or 15 mg/kg was administered to groups of rats 1, 8, 24 and 32 h after artery occlusion. Motor impairment was evaluated by performance on the traverse beam and accelerating rotarod tests. Animals were sacrificed 48 h after occlusion and brain sections were stained with 2% 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride for determination of infarct volume. Forty percent of the rats receiving 15 mg/kg enoxaparin died as a result of intracranial hemorrhage. Untreated rats exhibited large lesions involving the caudate putamen and much of the cortex. In enoxaparin - treated rats the damage was mainly confined to the caudate putamen. The sensorimotor behavior of the 10 mg/kg enoxaparin group was significantly better than that of untreated animals. Motor performance of the survivors in the 15 mg/kg group was poor due to hypoactivity and weakness resulting from excessive bleeding. These results suggest that LMWH may have a neuroprotective function.
Quartermain
D
D
Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, 550 St. Avenue, New York, USA. quartd01@popmail.med.nyu.edu
Li
Y
Y
Jonas
S
S
D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017984:Enoxaparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D017984:Enoxaparin; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents