Abstract: Aim The protectie effect of BQ-123 on the brain damage caused by cerebral ischemia reperfusion was to be observed. Methods The cerebral ischemia model was made by four-vessel occlusion method in SD rats. The reperfusion was performed for 72 hours, and then BQ-123 was injected intracerebrovertricularly in a volume of 0. 001ml at a dosage of 50μg/rat within 30 minutes after reperfusion. Results In the BQ-123 treated group, the number of survival neuron in the hippocampal CA1 was significantly greater than that in the untreated group (P<0. 01) and much smaller than that in the controls (P<0. 01). The behaviour test indicated that the reperfusion made the ability of study and memory in cerebral ischemia rats markedly reduced, and the BQ-123 treatment made the ability significantly improved (P <0. 01). Conclusion BQ-123 is useful in preventing the neuronal damage following the cerebral ischemia reperfusion in rats.

Key words: endotheiin receptor antagonist, BQ-123, neuronal damage, cerebral ischemia reperfusion