The dose-dependent protection of
taurine against experimental
stroke has been demonstrated previously. The objective of this study was to investigate the therapeutic window of
taurine against experimental
stroke, and the effects of delayed administration of
taurine on inflammatory reaction in a rat model of
stroke. Rats received 2-h
ischemia by intraluminal filament, and then reperfused.
Taurine (50 mg/kg) was administered intravenously 4 h, 8 h, 10 h, or 12 h after
ischemia. The neurologic scores and the
infarct volumes were evaluated 24 h after
ischemia. Then, the effect of administration of
taurine at 8 h after
ischemia on the neutrophil infiltration in ischemic region was determined. Treatment with
taurine 4 h or 8 h after
ischemia significantly improved the neurologic function, and decreased the
infarct volumes 24 h after
ischemia. However, administration of
taurine at 10 h or 12 h after
ischemia had no significant neuroprotection. Further,
taurine administered at 8 h after
ischemia markedly reduced
myeloperoxidase activity and attenuated neutrophil infiltration in ischemic region. Our data suggest that the therapeutic window of
taurine against experimental
stroke is of at least 8 h, and suppressing the neutrophil infiltration may be one of the mechanisms of delayed administration of
taurine against experimental
stroke.