2-(2-benzofuranyl)-2-imidazoline and triphenyltetrazolium

The aim of this study was to determine whether 2-(2-benzofuranyl)-2-imidazoline, an imidazoline I(2) receptor ligand, could protect against cell death from brain injury and improve the functional outcome after focal cerebral ischemia in rats.. Transient focal ischemia was induced by suture occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Rats were intraperitoneally treated with a vehicle, 2-(2-benzofuranyl)-2-imidazoline or idazoxan immediately after focal ischemia. Infarct volume was assessed by 2,3,5-triphenyltrazolium chloride staining and neurobehavioral deficits were monitored. The volume of cell death in the penumbra after ischemia was determined by immunostaining using anti-cleaved caspase-3 antibody and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL).. Both 2-(2-benzofuranyl)-2-imidazoline and idazoxan significantly improved the neurological score compared with the vehicle at 24 hours after focal ischemia. Treatment with 2-(2-benzofuranyl)-2-imidazoline or idazoxan also significantly reduced infarct volume and the number of both caspase-3- and TUNEL-positive cells in the penumbra compared with vehicle-treated rats (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively).. The results suggest the neuroprotective role of 2-(2-benzofuranyl)-2-imidazoline and idazoxan in focal cerebral ischemia, and may therefore represent useful targets for developing new treatments for stroke.

Topics: Animals; Benzofurans; Brain Injuries; Brain Ischemia; Caspase 3; Disease Models, Animal; Idazoxan; Imidazoles; Imidazoline Receptors; In Situ Nick-End Labeling; Male; Neurologic Examination; Neuroprotective Agents; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Tetrazolium Salts