Effect of sodium aescinate on the permeability of blood-brain barrier in rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion

Objective To observe the effect of sodium aescinate(SA) on the permeability of blood-brain barrier(BBB) in rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Methods Rats were divided randomly into 4 groups:control group,ischemia-reperfusion group,SA-treatment group and saline group. The models with focal cerebral ischemic reperfusion was induced by intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) with a nylon monofilament suture. Ischemia-reperfusion group were divided further into seven subgroups according to different time points of reperfusion after MCAO. To observe the change in permeability of BBB,Evans blue(EB) in the brain tissue was surveyed by the means of EB fluorescent quantitation. SA-treatment and saline group were done at the point of the peak of permeability of BBB. To compare the amount of EB with the same point of groups,we investigate the influence of SA on BBB permeability. Results At 3h of reperfusion followed cerebral ischemia for 2h,the permeability of BBB began to increase,reached the peak at 24h of reperfusion. SA group was done at 24h of reperfusion following cerebral ischemia. The amount of EB of SA-treatment group was significantly lower than of saline group(P0.05). Conclusion SA could effectively prevent the permeability of BBB from increasing and has a protective effect on BBB.