Caffeinol confers cortical but not subcortical neuroprotection after transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats

The combination of low-dose ethanol and caffeine (caffeinol) protects cortical areas of the brain from damage produced by distal focal ischemia in rats. There are no data, however, as to whether caffeinol influences injury in subcortical brain regions. Rats were anesthetized with halothane and subjected to 2 h of MCAo by poly-L-lysine-coated intraluminal suture. Caffeineol [a combination of ethanol, 0.33 g/kg, and caffeine, 10 mg/kg (n = 5)] or vehicle (0.9% NaCl; n = 7) was administered by i.v. infusion over a 2.5-h period beginning 15 min after reperfusion. Neurological status was evaluated daily, and histopathology was quantified at 3 days. Caffeinol therapy significantly improved the neurological score, reduced the total infarct volume (by 52%) and cortical infarct areas at multiple coronal levels, but subcortical infarction and brain swelling were not affected. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.