Effects of Nonpeptide V1 Vasopressin Receptor Antagonist SR-49059 on Infarction Volume and Recovery of Function in a Focal Embolic Stroke Model

Background and Purpose— Cerebral edema develops very early after the onset of focal cerebral ischemia and may be a major factor in early disability after an acute ischemic stroke. There have been very limited studies on the usefulness of antiedemic agents as neuroprotective agents in the setting of focal cerebral ischemia. We tested the neuroprotective effects of a new potent nonpeptide vasopressin receptor V1 antagonist, SR-49059, in a focal embolic stroke model in rats. Methods— Focal ischemic injury was induced by embolizing a preformed clot into the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Infarction volume was measured at 48 hours after the MCA occlusion. Neurological deficits, ischemic brain edema, seizure activity, and mortality and hemorrhage rates were also documented. Results— Treatment with SR-49059 (2 mg/kg), initiated immediately after MCA occlusion, significantly reduced infarction volume (P<0.05) measured at 48 hours after the arterial occlusion. In animals in which the treatment was delayed for 1 hou...