ORALLY-ADMINISTERED GLYCOLIPID DERIVATIVE LIGA20 REDUCES INFARCT VOLUME AND BEHAVIORAL IMPAIRMENT AFTER FOCAL CEREBRAL-ISCHEMIA

The efficacy of p.o. semisynthetic glycolipid LIGA20 dihydroxy-2-dichl oro-acetamide-4-trans-octadecene) treatment in stroke was studied in a permanent left middle cerebral artery occlusion model in the rat. A d ose-dependent increase of plasma LIGA20 and its presence in the brain were documented after p.o. drug application. Oral administration of 50 to 200 mg/kg of LIGA20, initiated 24 hr before middle cerebral artery occlusion and continued for 7 days, reduced the motor and cognitive i mpairment after the stroke, measured by the rotarod and the passive av oidance test, respectively. The 10-mg/kg dose was effective when given i.v. but not p.o. Oral treatment with 100 mg/kg of LIGA20 reduced the infarct size in the cortex but not in the ischemic core (the striatum ). No biochemical or behavioral adverse effects of LIGA20 treatment we re observed. Further studies are needed to evaluate the full therapeut ic potential of this compound.