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Neuroprotective Effects of Fasudil, a Rho-Kinase Inhibitor, After Spinal Cord Ischemia and Reperfusion in Rats
Masahiko Ohbuchi1,2, Tetsu Kimura1, Toshiaki Nishikawa1
1From the Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Akita, Japan.
Anesthesia and Analgesia
|November 4, 2017
Summary
Fasudil, a Rho-kinase inhibitor, improved neurologic and histopathologic outcomes when administered before spinal cord ischemia. Posttreatment with fasudil showed benefits in histopathology but not neurologic function in normothermic rats.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Ischemia Research
Background:
- Excessive Rho/Rho-kinase pathway activation is implicated in post-stroke damage.
- Investigating fasudil, a Rho-kinase inhibitor, for neuroprotection in spinal cord ischemia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the neuroprotective effects of fasudil (Rho-kinase inhibitor) in a rat model of transient spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion.
- To compare the efficacy of fasudil administered before (pre-treatment) versus after (post-treatment) ischemia.
Main Methods:
- Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent transient spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion.
- Fasudil (10 mg/kg) or saline was administered intravenously before or after ischemia.
- Neurologic deficit scores and histopathologic outcomes were assessed.
Main Results:
- Pre-treatment with fasudil significantly reduced neurologic deficit scores and improved neuronal survival.
- Fasudil pre-treatment also decreased white matter vacuolation compared to controls.
- Post-treatment with fasudil improved histopathology but not neurologic function in normothermic conditions.
Conclusions:
- Intravenous fasudil administered before ischemia enhances both neurologic and histopathologic outcomes.
- Fasudil post-treatment demonstrated histopathologic benefits in normothermic rats.
- Fasudil may serve as a valuable pre-treatment strategy for procedures involving spinal cord ischemia risk.
