EFFECT OF LONG-TERM ADMINISTRATION OF ETHYL EICOSAPENTATE (EPA-E) ON LOCAL CEREBRAL BLOOD-FLOW AND GLUCOSE-UTILIZATION IN STROKE-PRONE SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS (SHRSP)

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of ethyl eicos opentate (EPA-E) on local cerebral blood flow (1-CBF) and local glucos e utilization (1-CGU) in specific regions of the brain in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). EPA-E (100 mg/kg body weight ) or saline was orally administered to 8-week-old SHRSP. L-CBF and 1-C GU in the EPA-E-treated, saline-treated, and 8-week-old control rats w ere measured autoradiographically using C-14-iodoantipyrine and C-14-d eoxyglucose (Sakurada's and Sokoloff's methods). The 1-CBF of the sali ne-treated group decreased significantly with age in all areas measure d. EPA-E treatment alleviated the age-dependent decrease in 1-CBF in a ll areas, especially those in the basal ganglia. The 1-CGU of the sali ne-treated group did not change with age, however EPA-E treatment incr eased 1-CGU in all areas measured, though the changes were not signifi cant. EPA-E ameliorated the decrease in cerebral blood flow and improv ed glucose metabolism in SHRSP suffering from severe hypertension. The se results suggest that EPA-E may be useful in the prevention of strok e. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.