Introduction: Recent studies have indicated that the damaging effects of stroke are not only limited to the brain. We sought to examine the changes of liver and renal enzymes in the acute phase of ischemic stroke and to investigate possible explanations and therapeutic options, concerning in particular the functional alterations of peripheral organs after administration of an anti-inflammatory agent.
Material/methods: Twelve-week-old Wistar male rats were randomly divided into control and Cyclosporine groups (n = 10 each). Cyclosporine was given orally by gavage for 5 days prior to cerebral ischemia at a total volume of 15 mg/kg/day. All animals were subjected to 60 minutes focal ischemia by filament occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Serum concentrations of Creatinine, Urea, SGOT, SGPT, and γGT were determined at the time before surgery and after 60 minutes brain ischemia.
Results: Comparing data of 2 time-points, in both groups the serum liver enzyme levels increased progressively during the ischemic period. The liver enzymes and Urea were significantly lower in the Cyclosporine group than in the control group and the levels of Creatinine were slightly higher in the Cyclosporine group, in both time-points.
Conclusions: The detection of high liver enzyme serum levels in the acute phase of ischemic stroke implies the secondary effect of cerebral infraction on the peripheral organs and particularly on the liver function. Cyclosporine seems to exhibit a protective activity and to affect both liver and renal function after ischemic stroke.
Keywords: Cyclosporine; Wistar rats; ischemic stroke; renal function; serum liver enzyme levels.
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