Neuroprotective effect of mild hypothermia in the temporary brain ischemia in cats.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of mild hypothermia during temporary focal ischemia in cats. METHOD: 20 cats underwent middle cerebral artery 60 minutes occlusion and 24 hours reperfusion: 10 under normothermia and 10 under mild hypothermia (32 masculine C). Brain coronal sections 2mm thick were stained with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium hydrochloride, photographed and evaluated with software for volume calculation. RESULTS: Cortical ischemia was found in 7 and basal ganglia ischemia in 8 animals of group 1 and in both regions in 5 animals of group 2 (no difference: p=0.6499 for cortical; p=0.3498 for basal ganglia). No ischemia was found in 5 animals of group 2 and in none of group 1 (significant difference, p=0.0325). The infarct volume was greater in group 1 than 2 (p=0.0433). CONCLUSION: Mild hypothermia did not interfere with location of ischemia, but it was effective for reducing the infarct volume.