The effects of LY393613, nimodipine and verapamil, in focal cerebral ischaemia
Bogaert, L.; O'neill, M.J.; Moonen, J.; Sarre, S.; Smolders, I.; Ebinger, G.; Michotte, Y.
European Journal of Pharmacology 411(1-2): 71-83
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0014-2999 PMID: 11137861 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-2999(00)00861-x
Accession: 011499222
This study evaluates the effects of N-(2-[bis (4-fluorophenyl)methoxy]ethyl)-1-butanamine hydrochloride (LY393613), a novel neuronal (N/P/Q-type) Ca(2+) channel blocker, in ischaemia. For comparison, two commonly used L-type Ca(2+) channel blockers; nimodipine and verapamil were also evaluated. Ischaemia was induced in freely moving rats by micro-injection of endothelin-1 near the middle cerebral artery. In vivo microdialysis, laser Doppler flowmetry and histology were used to monitor ischaemia. Administration of LY393613, before and after the insult, attenuated the ischaemia-induced glutamate release, but not the dopamine release. Both nimodipine and verapamil failed to affect transmitter releases significantly, when administered post-occlusion. None of the compounds tested, produced any significant change in striatal blood flow. Histology showed that ischaemic damage was significantly less in LY393613 pre-treated rats. In conclusion, LY393613, a neuronal N/P/Q-Ca(2+) channel blocker, can attenuate ischaemic brain damage. The protective mechanism appears to be mainly the attenuation of the ischaemia-induced glutamate release, rather than its effect on cerebral hemodynamics.