SPASMOLYTIC EFFECT OF ACIDIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTOR IN EARLY CEREBRAL VASOSPASM IN THE RAT

BACKGROUND In animal models of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), basilar artery spasm has been described. Since fibroblast growth factors (FGFs ) dilate rat basilar artery in vivo, we tested whether systemic admini stration of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) can reverse the bas ilar artery spasm following rat SAH. METHODS SAH was mimicked by injec ting autologous blood into the cisterna magna. We used a digital subst raction angiography system in order to evaluate the spasmolytic effect of aFGF administered via the axillary artery 7 minutes after the inje ction of the autologous blood. Control animals received vehicle soluti on in the same manner. RESULTS Intraarterial bolus injection of 2.6 mu g aFGF, but not the solvent, reverses the acute basilar artery narrow ing caused by SAH (23.05% of the baseline value at 5 minutes post-SAH) . CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest an important role for FGFs in the ce rebral tone regulation and support a clinical interest of FGFs in prev enting cerebral ischemia following SAH, particularly if these vasoacti ve effects are added to the known neuroprotective effects of FGFs. (C) 1998 by Elsevier Science Inc.