Protective effect of FK506 in the reperfusion model after short-term occlusion of middle cerebral artery in the rat: Assessment by autoradiography using [I-125]PK-11195

The protective effect of the immunosuppressant agent FK506 in the reperfusi on after short-term occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in the rat mode l was evaluated using [I-125]PK-11195 autoradiography. FK506 0.5 mg kg(-1) day(-1) was administered intramurally to Wistar rats weighing 260-300 g fro m one day prior to ischemia to seven days after ischemia. Reperfusion was p erformed after 30 or 60 min occlusion. Infarct area was evaluated by [I-125 ]PK-11195 autoradiography on the seventh day following occlusion. FK506 sig nificantly reduced the infarct area in the caudate nucleus following 30 and 60min occlusion, but significantly reduced the infarct area in the cortex only following 60 min occlusion. These results suggest that FK506 has a pro tective effect against reperfusion after short-term occlusion of the middle cerebral artery.