BASIC FIBROBLAST-GROWTH-FACTOR PROTECTED FOREBRAIN AGAINST ISCHEMIA-REPERFUSION DAMAGE IN RATS

AIM: To study the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on a cute forebrain ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. METHODS: Both vert ebral arteries were occluded by electrocautery and severe but transien t bilateral cerebral ischemia was produced by clamping both common car otid arteries for 20 min in rats. The contents of dopamine (DA) and 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in striatum were determined by HP LC with electrochemic detector (HPLC-EC) at 3, 6, 12, 24 h after the o nset of reperfusion. The contents of sodium, potassium in forebrain we re determined by atomic absorption spectro-photometric method at 6-h r eperfusion. Morphological changes of the striatum were also examined. RESULTS: At 6-h reperfusion, the DA content in striatum decreased from (99 +/- 16) mu g . g(-1)(protein) in sham-operation group to (70 +/- 20) mu g . g(-1) (protein); the water and the sodium contents in foreb rain increased from 77.34% +/- 0.19% to 79.6% +/- 0.6% and from (9.3 /- 0.6) to (10.5 +/- 0.6) mg . g(-1) (dry weight), respectively, bFGF (iv 45 mu g . kg(-1) . h(-1) for 3 h) from the start of reperfusion pr evented the decrease of DA in striatum and the increases of water and sodium contents in forebrain. Histological examination also indicated that bFGF ameliorated the injury of neurons. CONCLUSION: bFGF prevente d the brain from injury of ischemia and reperfusion.