Propentofylline attenuates microglial reaction in the rat spinal cord induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion

This study examines the effect of Propentofylline (PPF) on reactive microgl ia in the lumbar spinal cord in rats following focal cerebral ischaemia pro duced by permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Our resul ts showed that daily treatment of PPF beginning at 24 h after MCA occlusion for 2 or 4 consecutive days markedly suppressed the microglial response as detected immunohistochemically with OX-42. The most dramatic effect was th e prevention of transformation of ramified microglia into amoeboidic form a s well as formation of perineuronal microglia in close association with the soma of motoneurons. This has greatly amplified the potentiality of PPF us ed as a neuroprotective drug against microglia-related neuron damage induce d by cerebral ischaemia. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.