EFFECTS OF LECITHIN-EMULSIFIED PERFLUOROCHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN ISCHEMIC BRAIN INJURY

A lecithin-emulsified ''Pluronic F-68''-free perfluorochemical compoun d, named F-1,3-DMA, was tested as a new agent in the prevention of cen tral nervous tissue ischemia. A permanent ischemia leading to cerebral infarction was induced after microsurgical exposure and occlusion of the internal carotid, anterior, and middle cerebral arteries in the ra bbit. Following arterial occlusion, F-1,3-DMA was administered intrave nously, in a solution rendered isotonic to plasma, over a 30 minute pe riod. The F-1,8-DMA was well tolerated. Hemodynamic, cardiovascular an d metabolic parameters were not affected by the infusion of F-1,3-DMA. Although PO2 remained virtually unchanged, animals treated with F-1,3 -DMA (n=9), had smaller infarct volume by 61 percent as compared to th e control (n=8) group (P < 0.04, Student's t-test). Histopathology did not reveal any F-1.3-DMA related damage in the noninfarcted brain. Th ese results suggest that F-1,8-DMA has nervous tissue ischemia protect ive properties possibly because of microflow effects although O2 trans port to ''local'' tissue may be enhanced as well. We believe that furt her research is necessary in order to make clinical trials of F-1,3-DM A possible.