title: Neuroprotective effects of diltiazem in rabbits with occluded aorta.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, we aimed to determine the protective effect of the perfusion of the distal aorta with diltiazem and ringer lactate solution on the spinal cord.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven New Zealand rabbits were used in which spinal cord ischemia was provided by occlusion of the aorta for thirty minutes. Experimental animals were divided into four groups: group A (n=4), the sham operation group; group B (n=8) in which intraaortic balloon occlusion alone was applied; group C (n=7), ringer lactate group in which ringer lactate was perfused into distal aorta at a rate of 40 ml/kg, hr, following intraaortic balloon occlusion; group D (n=8) diltiazem group in which diltiazem 40 mg/kg, hr, in Ringer lactate was perfused into distal aorta following intraaortic balloon occlusion. Motor function of hind limbs was evaluated by Tarlov's scoring system. After observation, spinal cords were removed for histopathological evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The degree of histopathological injury was well correlated with neurological function. The most severe histopathological injury and neurological dysfunction occurred in group B, followed by group C, D and A respectively. No injury or neurological dysfunction occurred in the sham group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The protective effect of diltiazem on both histopathological injury and neurological function was significant in comparison with control groups.
authors.affiliation: Trabalho realizado na Cumhuriyet Universitesi, Turkey
authors.forename: Tonguc
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saba
authors.forename: Sinasi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manduz
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sapmaz
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tunel
authors.forename: Handan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aker
authors.forename: Kasim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dogan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000601:surgery*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D004110:Diltiazem / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007552:Isotonic Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D000077325:Ringer's Lactate; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D020760:Spinal Cord Ischemia / Q000209:etiology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D000077325:Ringer's Lactate; D004110:Diltiazem