1. We investigated the effect of a novel vinca
alkaloid derivative,
vinconate, against brain damage after focal
ischemia induced by a middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in rats. 2. Persistent focal
ischemia was induced by 6 hr, and
vinconate (50 and 100 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally twice 10 min and 3 hr after MCA occlusion. 3. Focal
ischemia produced the disturbance of
glucose metabolism, the increase of water content and the impairment of
protein synthesis in the surrounding occluded MCA territory. 4.
Vinconate was effective in preventing marked reduction of cerebral
glucose utilization in the areas surrounding the occluded MCA territory. 5.
Vinconate significantly reduced an increase of water content in the surrounding the occluded MCA territory. 6. Preliminary L-[methyl-14C]
methionine autoradiographic study also indicated that
vinconate can partly prevent a severe impairment of
protein synthesis after focal
ischemia. 7. The results indicate that
vinconate may ameliorate the disturbance of
glucose metabolism,
brain edema and the impairment of
protein synthesis after persistent focal
ischemia, and they also suggest that
vinconate has a beneficial effect against brain damage.