Thrombolytic and anticoagulation treatment in a rat embolic stroke model.
OBJECTIVE
The effects of pentasaccharide (PENTA), given alone or combined with thrombolysis using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA), on infarct size and clinical outcome were evaluated in a rat embolic stroke model.


METHODS
Ninety-two rats were embolized unilaterally and assigned to: (i). controls, (ii). rt-PA 6 mg/kg, (iii). PENTA 0.5 mg/kg, (iv). PENTA 0.5 mg/kg and rt-PA 6 mg/kg. After 2 days animals were killed, the brains removed and evaluated microscopically.


RESULTS
The median infarct size measured in percentage of the affected hemisphere was 25% in the control group, 4% (P < 0.01, Mann Whitney) in group 2, 19% (n.s.) in group 3, and 10% (P < 0.05) in group 4. rt-PA, and rt-PA combined with PENTA also promoted functional recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study found no effect of 0.5 mg/kg PENTA treatment. Compared with rt-PA treatment alone, 0.5 mg/kg PENTA alone or combined with rt-PA did not significantly increase mortality or tendency for hemorrhage.
Rasmussen
R S
RS
Department 5463, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. rsr@nepa.ku.dk
Overgaard
K
K
Meden
P
P
Boysen
G
G
D000792:Angiography; D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020766:Intracranial Embolism / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000379:methods
D000925:Anticoagulants; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D009844:Oligosaccharides; C064764:PENTA; D010960:Plasminogen Activators