Neuroprotective effect of glycine in the acute period of ischemic stroke

Both the efficiency of glycine in the acute period of hemispheric ischemic stroke and mechanisms of its action were studied in a double blind placebo- controlled trial including 200 patients. Orgogozo's and Scandinavian scales for objective assessment of the condition severity and of a degree of neur ologic deficiency, and Bartel's scale - for evaluation of functional recove ry were used and measurements were made of the levels of autoantibodies to the structural component of glutamate NMDA-receptors in blood serum and con centrations of neurotransmitter amino acids and of the products of lipid pe roxidation in cerebrospinal fluid. Sublingual glycine application in daily dose of 1-2 g was found effective begining with the first 6 hours of the st roke development during 5 days, Multicomponent neuroprotective action of gl ycine was established directed at correction of the unbalance between stimu lating and inhibiting aminacidergic neurotransmitters, as well as at a decr ease of exitotoxicity and oxidant stress.