Therapeutic efficacy of intraventricular cyclosporine A and methylprednisolone on a global cerebral ischemia model in rats.
OBJECTIVE
Cyclosporine A (CsA) with its immunosuppressive actions and methylprednisolone (MP) as a free radical scavenger were suggested together to alleviate neural tissue damage after an ischemic insult. The aim of this study was to investigate neuroprotective properties of CsA and MP in a global cerebral ischemia model.


METHODS
Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into four separate groups: CsA, MP, sham and control. Global cerebral ischemia was performed with the four-vessel occlusion model. After 30 minutes of ischemia, reperfusion was started with concomitant intraventricular administration of saline, MP (20 mg/kg) and CsA (10 mg/kg) into the lateral ventricle. Lipid peroxidation levels were measured from all experimental groups. Rats subjected to global cerebral ischemia exhibited a significant increase in cerebral lipid peroxide levels 6 hours after the onset of reperfusion. Both CsA and MP treatment significantly attenuated the degree of lipid peroxidation in cerebral tissues (p<0.05). Histopathological examinations of the CA1 sector of the hippocampus verified the neuroprotective properties of MP and CsA.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggested the neuroprotective properties of both agents, emphasizing more potent protection against ischemia by CsA. It was proposed that CsA could have exerted this effect with the blockage of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pores, which are also critical if the necrotic and apoptotic cascades of the cell are considered. MP is judged to be neuroprotective, particularly in terms of its effects on lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, CsA and MP are ascertained to be neuroprotective agents as long as they cross the blood-brain barrier.
Akdemir
Gökhan
G
Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Neurosurgical Clinic, Ankara, Turkey. gokhanademir@yahoo.com
Ergüngör
M Fikret
MF
Sezer
Mustafa
M
Albayrak
Levent
L
Dağlioğlu
Ergün
E
Kilinç
Kamer
K
D000818:Animals; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D033681:Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins; D000083162:Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007473:Ion Channels; D033681:Mitochondrial Membrane Transport Proteins; D000083162:Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D008775:Methylprednisolone