Effect of thioperamide on nitric oxide in middle cerebral artery occlusion model of focal cerebral ischemia in rats

ABSTRACT

The present study evaluated the effect of Thioperamide [THP], a selective histamine H[3]-receptor antagonist, on middle cerebral artery occlusion [MCAO]-induced focal cerebral ischemia in rats. The rats were subjected to 2 hrs of MCAO followed by 22 hrs reperfusion followed by nitrate and nitrite levels estimations in the whole brain of rats. A decrease in the level of nitrate and nitrite was observed following MCAO. THP pre-treatment could not reverse such a reduction in nitrite but slightly reversed reduced nitrate levels. The opposite effect of THP on nitrate and nitrite levels requires further investigation and raises doubts on its possible use in cerebral ischemia