Beneficai effect of cinepazide on cerebral circulation in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR) with cerebral lesions

Cinepazide(CP) was evaluated for its effect on cerebral circulation of SHR with acute and chronic cerebral lesions using a hydrogen clearance method. In the first experiment, CP(10 mg/ kg i.v.) increased regional cerebral blood flows(rCBFs) in the parietal cortex and basal ganglia, and reversed a decrease in rCBFs resulting from bilateral common carotid artery occlusion for 10 min followed by reperfusion. In the second experiment, in which SHR received 1% NaCl solution for 8 weeks, there was a rapid development of hypertension with a decrease in rCBFs and an acceleration of cerebral lesions, compared to salt-unloaded SHR. Repeated administration of CP(100 and 300 mg/kg p.o.) for 6-9 weeks, initiating at 9 weeks after salt loading, resulted in a dose-related improvement of reduction in rCBFs and of impairment of ocular vessels without remarkable concomitant alternation in systolic blood pressure. These effects were reflected by a low incidence of histo-pathological changes in the cerebral vasculature. These results suggest that improvement of cerebral lesions by CP may be at least in part related to its ability to protect against cerebral hypo -perf us ion.