Baliga, Sunanda S.. Acetaminophen confers neuroprotection during early cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Retrieved from https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T35X295P
DescriptionStroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States. It usually occurs from a clot blocking a cerebral artery, resulting in cerebral ischemia and infarction. Few stroke therapeutics are available that definitively improve patient outcome. Acetaminophen is a readily available, inexpensive drug with a good safety profile - properties desirable of a neuroprotectant. We have previously shown acetaminophen to be effective following myocardial infarction. Since similar cell-destructive events occur during cerebral ischemia as in myocardial infarction, we sought to determine whether acetaminophen would protect neuronal cells in a similar fashion. Biochemical and molecular assays were employed to assess cell death and mitochondrial function. Acetaminophen significantly reduced cerebral infarct size, mitochondrial swelling and rupture as well as apoptosis. Acetaminophen also preserved mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, acetaminophen prevented cerebral edema, as seen histopathologically. Taken together, these data suggest that acetaminophen is effective in preventing neuronal stroke damage.