Abstract
CBM 36-733 (2-methyl-alpha-ergocryptin) is known to have central dopaminergic, serotoninergic and cholinergic activities. In this study, we examined the protective actions of CBM 36-733 on experimental cerebral ischemia in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). SHR aged 6 months were divided into 4 groups; control (vehicle-treated), CBM 36-733 0.01, 0.1 or 1.0 mg/kg, i.v.. After anesthesia, bilateral common carotid artery was ligated (BCL) to produce cerebral ischemia for one hour. Cerebral blood flow to the parietal cortex was repeatedly measured by H2 clearance technique. Brain tissue lactate, ATP and pyruvate were determined by enzymatic method. By BCL, cortical blood flow decreased to 919% of resting value at 30 min and further to 511% at 60 min. Blood flow reduction was not altered by CBM 36-733 administration. At 1 hour ischemia, brain lactate greatly increased to 27.5±2.6 mmol/kg in control SHR, while it less increased to 7.5 ± 1.4 in CBM 36-733 0.1 mg/kg group. Brain ATP decreased to 1.31 ± 0.05 mmol/kg in control SHR after BCL, but it changed little, being almost normal level (2.60 ± 0.19) by 0.1 mg/kg of CEM 36-733, suggesting beneficial effects of CBM 36-733 on the ischemic cerebral metabolism.
In conclusion, CBM 36-733 seems to have protective effects on the brain against ischemia by improving metabolism but not affecting homodynamics. Further study is desired to clarify the details of the mechanisms.
