Effect of indomethacin in experimental cerebral ischemia

The effect of indomethacin treatment (4 mg/kg-1, i.v.) on the cerebrocortical post-ischemic reperfusion ischemia (rabbits) or to focal epicerebral ischemia (cats). When administered prior to global ischemia (but not after), indomethacin enhanced the cortical post-ischemic blood flow. No improvement, however, could be observed in the electrocorticogram in either case. Moreover, indomethacin pretreatment did not change the evolution of the cortical tissular pO2 following focal ischemia. It is suggested that, in spite of post-ischemic amelioration of blood flow, indomethacin is unable to improve tissular oxygenation and electrical activity of the cerebral cortex.