aj-3941 and Subarachnoid-Hemorrhage

AJ-3941 ((+/-)-(E)-1-(3-fluoro-6,11-dihydrodibenz[b,e]-oxepine-11-yl ) -4-(3-phenyl-2-propenyl)-piperazine dimaleate; CAS No. 143110-70-7), a cerebrovascular-selective Ca2+ channel antagonist having anti-lipid peroxidative action, was reported to prevent cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats. The present study was undertaken to determine whether AJ-3941 protects the impairment of cerebroarterial endothelium-dependent relaxation which is concomitantly induced with cerebral vasospasm. Subarachnoid hemorrhage biphasically suppressed the response to acetylcholine in rat basilar artery, at 0.5 h (n = 4; P < 0.06) and 1 day (n = 5; P < 0.05) after subarachnoid hemorrhage. The reduction of the responses was correlated significantly to the degree of vasospasm determined angiographically. This reduction was accompanied by a 49% increase of arterial lipid peroxide contents. Endothelium-independent relaxation in subarachnoid hemorrhage rats was preserved in response to 3-morpholinosydnonimine, sodium nitroprusside and papaverine. AJ-3941 prevented (n = 6-8, P < 0.05) the suppression of the acetylcholine-induced response and the increase in lipid peroxide content in subarachnoid hemorrhage rats. These results suggest that AJ-3941 could exert its vasospasmolytic effect by preserving endothelial function through its anti-lipid peroxidative action, in addition to its inhibition of vasospasmogen-induced vasoconstriction related to intracellular Ca2+ mobilization.

Topics: Acetylcholine; Animals; Calcium Channel Blockers; Dibenzoxepins; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Male; Muscle Relaxation; Piperazines; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

A subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) model in rats was produced by the injection of homologous blood into the cisterna magna. Effects of AJ-3941 ((+/-)-(E)-1-(3-fluoro-6,11 -dihydrodibenz[b,e]-oxepine-11-yl)-4-(3-phenyl-2-propenyl)-p iperazine dimaleate, CAS 143110-70-7) on the development of cerebral vasospasm and the change of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) following SAH was investigated in this model. Cerebral vasospasm following SAH showed a biphasic pattern with an early phrase at 10 min and a late phrase on 1 day after blood injection. The physiological parameters (blood pressure, heart rate and blood gas contents) remained stable within the physiological range throughout the course of the experiment. AJ-3941 (0.01 mg/kg i.v. or 0.3 mg/kg p.o.) significantly prevented the development of late phase cerebral vasospasm. Cisternal injection of homologous blood significantly reduced rCBF immediately after the injection and the reduction lasted during the observation period (30 min). Reduction in rCBF after the injection of homologous blood was prevented by AJ-3941 (0.01 mg/kg i.v.). rCBF in AJ-3941-treated rats completely returned to the basal values after 30 min. The present suggest that AJ-3941 may be useful in the prevention of late spasm and in the improvement of cerebral circulation impaired with SAH.

Topics: Animals; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Dibenzoxepins; Disease Models, Animal; Ischemic Attack, Transient; Male; Piperazines; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Regional Blood Flow; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage; Vasodilator Agents