Potential of cilostazol for treatment of stroke from basic research

Abstract

It was generally known that there were many pathological mechanisms in stroke. Treatment strategy of cerebral ischemia was recanalization of occluded vessels. Because various pathological changes were included in recanalization therapy, it was expected to treat each problem. In addition, treatment strategy of cerebral ischemia was extremely changed in very short period. First, researchers evaluated the various drugs for protection of neuron itself. After intravenous tissue plasminogen activator therapy was approved, the evaluation of therapeutic time window and hemorrhagic complication were needed. In addition, it was suggested that the protection of whole neurovascular unit was necessary for neuroprotection. We aimed to clarify these clinical questions by single drug called cilostazol from the viewpoint of basic research. Through a series of studies using cilostazol developed as an antiplatelet agent, it was shown that the medicine dose not have only single efficacy but would also have multiple functions.