Journal of Nihon University Medical Association
Online ISSN : 1884-0779
Print ISSN : 0029-0424
ISSN-L : 0029-0424
Original Article:
Cilostazol Reduces Contusion Volume and Protects Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity Following Experimental Cerebral Contusion in Rats
Junichi Tahara
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JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2016 Volume 75 Issue 6 Pages 268-274

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Abstract

Cerebral contusion results in a decrease of cerebral blood flow due to the formation of microthromboses, leading to secondary processes, which may represent a potential target for therapeutic intervention. Since cilostazol inhibits platelet aggregation, we would expect cilostazol to prevent microthrombosis formation following cerebral contusion. On the other hand, there is a concern that cilostazol could exacerbate the hemorrhagic lesion. The aim of our study was to examine whether cilostazol could attenuate secondary brain injury and prevent hemorrhagic progression following contusion. Specifically, we examined the effect of cilostazol on the volume of the contusion necrosis cavity and hemorrhagic progression in a cortical contusion model in the rat. Cerebral contusion was induced using a controlled cortical impact (CCI) device. Rats were randomly divided into 3 groups and orally administered cilostazol (cilostazol group), aspirin (aspirin group) or vehicle (CCI group) 1 hour after the CCI. The animals were sacrificed after 48 hours, for the evaluation of microthrombosis and extravasation of Evans blue dye (EBD), or after 14 days, for the measurement of the cavity formation after injury. Hemorrhagic progression, which is considered one of the complications of antiplatelet medications, and the EBD extravasation area at 48 hours after injury, were reduced in the cilostazol group compared with the aspirin group. Furthermore, the cavity formation was attenuated in the cilostazol group 14 days after injury compared with the controls, whereas the aspirin group exhibited marked cavity formation. These findings suggest that cilostazol exhibits neuroprotective effects without hemorrhagic complications after cerebral contusion. The mechanism of action appears to altered vascular permeability in the peripheral zone of the contusion.

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© 2016 The Nihon University Medical Association
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