Neuroprotective effect of mivazerol, an alpha 2-agonist, after transient forebrain ischemia in rats

We examined whether mivazerol, an alpha2-agonist, had neuroprotective effects after transient forebrain ischemia in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats, anesthetized with halothane, were assigned to one of four groups (n=10 each): control (C, normal saline) and mivazerol 10 microg/kg (M10), 20 microg/kg (M20) and 40 microg/kg (M40) groups. Thirty minutes after drug administration, forebrain ischemia was induced with hemorrhagic hypotension and bilateral carotid artery occlusion for 10 min, and then the brain was reperfused. The neurologic outcome was evaluated 24 h, 48 h and 7 days after ischemia, followed by histologic evaluation. The survival rate during 7 days was significantly lower in group M40 than in groups M10 and M20 (P