Neuroprotection Effects of Ischemic Postconditioning after Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion in Rats

Objective To investigate the neuroprotection effects of ischemic postcondiioning against reperfusion injury in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia.Methods Totally 30 male Wistar rats were randomized into 3 groups(n=10):sham-operate group,ischemia/reperfusion group(I/R group) and ischemic postconditioning group(IP group).Models were established by focal ischemia for 2 h with middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) and 24 h reperfusion.Rats were treated with postconditioning after 120 min of occlusion.The following indexes in 3 groups were investigated respectively by transmission electronmicroscpoic technology,including neurological function,infarce volume and the ultrastructure changes of nerve cell.Results At the same time points after ischemia,the score of neurological impairment,the infarct volume and the impairment of neuron and mylin sheath were lower in postconditioning than those in ischemia group.Conclusion Ischemic postconditioning could reduce infarce size,improve functional neurological outcome,and reduce the impairment of nerve cell.Ischemic postconditioning can also inhibit focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.