Recovery from global cerebral ischemia in rabbits: influence of indomethacin

A 10-min cerebral ischemia was induced in rabbits by a combination of vascular occlusion (carotid and vertebral arteries) and systemic hypotension. Cerebral cortex blood flow, cortical pO2, arterial pH, arterial blood gases, arterial pressure and electrocorticogram were recorded before, during and for 4 h after ischemia. Indomethacin (4 mg . kg-1 i.v.) was administered 45 min before or immediately after ischemia. Pretreatment with indomethacin improved cortical reperfusion but did not influence cortical pO2 and electrocorticographic activity. Post-ischemic treatment did not affect the different measurements. Water and electrolyte contents remained unchanged.