The highly selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor DFU is neuroprotective when given several hours after transient cerebral ischemia in gerbils

摘要

Several studies suggest that cyclooxygenase-2 contributes to the delayedprogression of ischemic brain damage. In this study we examined whether thehighly selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor DFU reduces neuronal damage whenadministered several hours after 5 min of transient forebrain ischemia ingerbils. The extent of ischemic injury was assessed behaviorally by measuringthe increases in locomotor activity and by histopathological evaluation of theextent of CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cell injury 7 days after ischemia. DFUtreatment (10 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced hippocampal neuronal damageeven if the treatment is delayed until 12 h after ischemia. These resultssuggest that selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors may be a valuabletherapeutic strategy for ischemic brain injury.