Lubeluzole is a neuroprotective compound in the final stages of clinical evaluation. We evaluated the effects of intravenous followed by intraperitoneal doses of
lubeluzole on histological outcome after reversible tandem middle cerebral/common carotid artery occlusion in Long-Evans rats, with particular emphasis on the time window of efficacy.
Lubeluzole, started 15 min after the onset of
ischemia, had no adverse physiological or behavioral effects and reduce maximal
infarct volume produced by 120 min or more of
arterial occlusion by approximately 50%, from 143.2 +/- 11.8 mm3 (p < 0.05).
Lubeluzole did not prolong the duration of
middle cerebral artery occlusion which could be tolerated before histological damage occurred.
Lubeluzole was still effective if started 30 min after the onset of
ischemia (34% reduction of maximal
infarct volume; p < 0.05), but not after delays of 60 or 120 min. we conclude that
lubeluzole has promise as a
neuroprotective drug, particularly for more severe
strokes, but must be started very rapidly after the onset of
ischemia to be effective.