Amelioration of brain ischemia / reperfusion injury by diazepam in rats

ABSTRACT

There is an evidence that the loss of gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA] inhibition, followed by excitotoxic glutamate release is linked to ischemia/reperfusion injury of brain cells. Therefore, a GABA mimetic drug, such as diazepam, might attenuate this injury. Ischemia was induced by bilateral carotid artery clamping for 60 minutes, followed by 40 minutes reperfusion. From the results obtained, it could be concluded that diazepam might protect the brain cells against stroke as that occurs after ischemia, followed by reperfusion of rat brain