Novel synthetic analogue of ACTH 4-10 (Semax) but not glycine prevents theenhanced nitric oxide generation in cerebral cortex of rats with incomplete global ischemia

This work investigates whether nitric oxide production and lipid peroxidati on contribute to the pathophysiology of ischemia and whether glycine and a novel Russian compound, Semax are neuroprotective via a mechanism involving the regulation nitric oxide (NO) and lipid peroxidation. In brief, nitric oxide and indices of lipid peroxidation were elevated following global isch emia. While glycine proved ineffective in reducing NO levels or amelioratin g the neurological deficits following global ischemia, Semax proved to be h ighly effective in abating the rise in nitric oxide and restoring neurologi c functioning. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science BN. All rights reserved.