EBSELEN (PZ-51) PROTECTS THE CAUDATE-PUTAMEN AGAINST HYPOXIA ISCHEMIAINDUCED NEURONAL DAMAGE/

Ebselen, a synthetic selenium-containing compound which exhibits gluta thione peroxidase-like activity in vivo, is known for its beneficial e ffects on inflammation and tissue injury. Experiments were conducted t o test whether ebselen dissolved in DiMethylSulfOxide (DMSO) could pre vent damage in a rat model for transient unilateral hypoxia/ischemia. Results indicate that ebselen dissolved in DMSO reduced damage in the caudate putamen, the thalamus and the cortex compared to the saline co ntrols. The average damage in the Caudate putamen was also significant ly lower in the ebselen group when compared to the DMSO treated rats. Total brain damage in the ebselen group was decreased by 76%. DMSO alo ne did not reduce damage significantly in any of the analyzed areas. S ome protective effects of ebselen, however, may be due to the solvent DMSO. In the caudate putamen ebselen alone was responsible for the obs erved protection. This protective effect of ebselen might be explained by its actions as a glutathione peroxidase mimic.