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Efficacious experimental stroke treatment with high-dose methylprednisolone
G M de Courten-Myers1, M Kleinholz, K R Wagner
1University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Department of Pathology, OH 45267-0529.
Stroke
|February 1, 1994
Summary
Early, high-dose methylprednisolone treatment significantly reduced infarct size in cats following middle cerebral artery occlusion. This stroke treatment improved outcomes by increasing ischemic cerebral blood flow.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Early, high-dose methylprednisolone shows promise in spinal cord injury treatment.
- Previous stroke studies with steroids may have failed due to late or low-dose administration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of early, high-dose methylprednisolone in a feline model of acute ischemic stroke.
- To determine if prompt steroid administration can mitigate brain injury after middle cerebral artery occlusion.
Main Methods:
- A temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion model was used in 24 cats.
- Cats received either methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg IV followed by 5.4 mg/kg/h) or vehicle, starting 30 minutes after occlusion.
- Cerebral blood flow, temperature, and cardiovascular parameters were monitored; brain pathology was assessed after 4 days.
Main Results:
- Surviving methylprednisolone-treated cats had infarcts over six times smaller than controls (2.4% vs. 15.6%).
- Methylprednisolone treatment led to less reduction in cerebral blood flow during ischemia (58% vs. 74%).
- Early mortality rates were similar between treated and control groups.
Conclusions:
- Early, high-dose methylprednisolone significantly reduces ischemic tissue injury in cats surviving temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion.
- The neuroprotective effect is associated with increased ischemic cerebral blood flow.
- Methylprednisolone did not reduce hemispheric edema in animals that died early.