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Updated: May 5, 2026
Intravital Microscopy of Leukocyte-endothelial and Platelet-leukocyte Interactions in Mesenterial Veins in Mice
Published on: August 13, 2015
Cilostazol inhibits leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in murine microvessels after transient bilateral common
Takuya Fukuoka1, Takeshi Hayashi1, Makiko Hirayama1
1Department of Neurology, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, 1397-1 Yamane, Hidaka, Saitama 350-1298, Japan.
Insights
Cilostazol effectively reduced leukocyte rolling and adhesion in mouse brain vessels after stroke. This finding highlights cilostazol
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cerebrovascular Research
- Inflammation Biology
Background:
- Leukocyte behavior in cerebral microvasculature post-occlusion remains unclear.
- Understanding leukocyte-endothelial interactions is crucial for stroke research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of cilostazol on leukocyte rolling and adhesion.
- To examine these effects in murine cerebral microvessels following transient ischemia and reperfusion.
Main Methods:
- Intravital fluorescence microscopy was used in four mouse groups: sham, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), I/R + 3 mg/kg cilostazol, and I/R + 30 mg/kg cilostazol.
- Leukocytes were labeled with acridine orange and observed at 3 and 6 hours post-reperfusion.
- Quantification of rolling and adherent leukocytes per square millimeter per 30 seconds.
Main Results:
- The I/R group showed significantly higher numbers of rolling and adherent leukocytes compared to sham and I/R+CZ30 mg/kg groups in both pial veins and arteries (P<0.05).
- Cilostazol at 30 mg/kg significantly inhibited leukocyte-endothelial interactions.
- Lower dose (3 mg/kg) did not show significant inhibition.
Conclusions:
- Cilostazol, particularly at 30 mg/kg, demonstrates a protective effect by inhibiting leukocyte-endothelial interactions.
- These findings suggest cilostazol's potential therapeutic value in mitigating inflammatory responses following cerebral ischemia and reperfusion.
Abstract:
Leukocyte behavior in the cerebral microvasculature following vessel occlusion has not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cilostazol on leukocyte behavior (rolling and adhesion) in murine cerebral microvessels following transient bilateral carotid artery occlusion using intravital fluorescence microscopy. Four groups of mice were assigned: a sham group (n=16); an ischemia (induced by 15-min occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries) and reperfusion (I/R) group (n=13); I/R+cilostazol (I/R+CZ3 mg/kg) group (I/R after oral administration of cilostazol at 3 mg/kg) (n=8); and I/R+cilostazol (I/R+CZ30 mg/kg) group (I/R after oral administration of cilostazol at 30 mg/kg) (n=12). Leukocytes labeled with 0.05% acridine orange were administered intravenously and their behavior was investigated at 3 and 6 h after reperfusion. Numbers of rolling or adherent leukocytes were expressed as the count per square millimeter per 30s. Numbers of rolling and adherent leukocytes at 3 and 6h after reperfusion were significantly higher in the I/R group than in the sham or I/R+CZ30 mg/kg groups in both pial veins (P<0.05) and pial arteries (P<0.05). Cilostazol (30 mg/kg) inhibited leukocyte-endothelial interactions following cerebral ischemia and reperfusion.
