Role of platelets as a factor aggravating cerebral ischemia

In order to clarify the role of platelets as a factor aggravating cerebral ischemia, an experimental model of ischemia was investigated using thrombocytopenic rats. In addition, the prostacyclin derivative (OP-41483) and the thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor (OKY-046), both of which inhibit platelet aggregation, were tested for possible beneficial effects on cerebral ischemia. Cerebral ischemia was produced in spontaneously hypertensive male rats using bilateral common carotid artery ligation (BLCL). Thrombocytopenia was produced with an antiplatelet antiserum which reduced the platelet count to less than 6 x 10(4)/microliters by 24 h. OP-41483 was administered four times hourly (500 ng/kg x 4, i.p.), beginning 1 h prior to BLCL. Similarly, OKY-046 was injected four times hourly (10 mg/kg x 4, i.p.). Brain metabolites such as ATP, lactate and pyruvate and water content were determined after 3 h of cerebral ischemia. Brain levels of ATP in the ischemic rats with thrombocytopenia were higher than those of the ischemic rats without thrombocytopenia. In addition, thrombocytopenia reduced the increase of lactate and water content in the ischemic brain. Animals treated with OP-41483 also maintained higher levels of ATP and lower levels of lactate and water compared to animals given a vehicle. OKY-046 significantly reduced brain water content, but had no effect on the ischemic alteration of brain metabolite levels. These results indicate that platelets play an important role in the progression of metabolic change during ischemia.