Effects of magnesium treatment in a model of internal capsule lesion in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Lecrux, C., McCabe, C. , Weir, C.J., Gallagher, L., Mullin, J., Touzani, O., Muir, K. , Lees, K.R. and Macrae, I.M. (2008) Effects of magnesium treatment in a model of internal capsule lesion in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Stroke, 39(2), pp. 448-454. (doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.107.492934)

Abstract

<p><b>Background and Purpose:</b> The study aim was to assess the effects of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) administration on white matter damage in vivo in spontaneously hypertensive rats.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> The left internal capsule was lesioned by a local injection of endothelin-1 (ET-1; 200 pmol) in adult spontaneously hypertensive rats. MgSO4 was administered (300 mg/kg SC) 30 minutes before injection of ET-1, plus 200 mg/kg every hour thereafter for 4 hours. Infarct size was measured by T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (day 2) and histology (day 11), and functional recovery was assessed on days 3 and 10 by the cylinder and walking-ladder tests.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> ET-1 application induced a small, localized lesion within the internal capsule. Despite reducing blood pressure, MgSO4 did not significantly influence infarct volume (by magnetic resonance imaging: median, 2.1 mm3; interquartile range, 1.3 to 3.8, vs 1.6 mm3 and 1.2 to 2.1, for the vehicle-treated group; by histology: 0.3 mm3 and 0.2 to 0.9 vs 0.3 mm3 and 0.2 to 0.5, respectively). Significant forelimb and hindlimb motor deficits were evident in the vehicle-treated group as late as day 10. These impairments were significantly ameliorated by MgSO4 in both cylinder (left forelimb use, P<0.01 and both-forelimb use, P<0.03 vs vehicle) and walking-ladder (right hindlimb score, P<0.02 vs vehicle) tests.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> ET-1–induced internal capsule ischemia in spontaneously hypertensive rats represents a good model of lacunar infarct with small lesion size, minimal adverse effects, and a measurable motor deficit. Despite inducing mild hypotension, MgSO4 did not significantly influence infarct size but reduced motor deficits, supporting its potential utility for the treatment of lacunar infarct.</p>

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gallagher, Mrs Lindsay and Lees, Professor Kennedy and Macrae, Professor Mhairi and Muir, Professor Keith and McCabe, Dr Chris and Mullin, Mr James
• Authors: Lecrux, C., McCabe, C., Weir, C.J., Gallagher, L., Mullin, J., Touzani, O., Muir, K., Lees, K.R., and Macrae, I.M.
• Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
• Journal Name: Stroke
• Publisher: American Heart Association
• ISSN: 0039-2499
• ISSN (Online): 1524-4628
• Published Online: 03 January 2008
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2008 American Heart Association
• First Published: First published in Stroke 40(12): 3864-3868
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher