Combination of cyclosporine and erythropoietin improves brain infarct size and neurological function in rats after ischemic stroke
2011

Combining Cyclosporine and Erythropoietin Reduces Brain Damage After Stroke in Rats

Sample size: 50 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Yuen Chun-Man, Sun Cheuk-Kwan, Lin Yu-Chun, Chang Li-Teh, Kao Ying-Hsien, Yen Chia-Hung, Chen Yung-Lung, Tsai Tzu-Hsien, Chua Sarah, Shao Pei-Lin, Leu Steve, Yip Hon-Kan

Primary Institution: Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Hypothesis

Does combined cyclosporine A and erythropoietin therapy limit brain infarction and improve neurological function in rats after ischemic stroke?

Conclusion

The combined treatment with cyclosporine and erythropoietin was superior to either one alone in protecting rat brains from ischemic damage after stroke.

Supporting Evidence

  • Combined therapy significantly reduced brain infarct area compared to control.
  • Neurological function improved more with combined therapy than with either drug alone.
  • Inflammatory markers were lower in the combined therapy group.
  • Apoptotic markers were reduced with combined treatment.
  • Cyclosporine and erythropoietin both showed protective effects against ischemic damage.

Takeaway

Giving two medicines together helps rats' brains heal better after a stroke than using just one medicine.

Methodology

Fifty adult male SD rats were divided into five groups to receive different treatments after inducing ischemic stroke.

Limitations

The study only lasted 21 days, and the safety of cyclosporine dosage was not investigated.

Participant Demographics

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 300-325 g.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1479-5876-9-141

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