Abstract: AIM: To study the protection and mechanism of Cyproheptadine (CYP) on focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats. METHODS: The models with cerebral ischemicre-reperfusion were induced by intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) with a nylon monofilament suture,2 h occlusion followed by 3,6,24,48 h reperfusion. The volume of cerbral infarction was observed using 2, 3, 4-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) dyeing, apoptosis of the neurocytes was detected by TUNEL technique, the expression levels of Caspase-3 proteinum in brain tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry technique. RESULTS: Compared with model group,the volumes of cerbral infarction were reduced significantly in the CYPI,IIgroups(P<0.01),the increased LDH had been decreased(P<0.01),apoptosis of the neurocytes of ischemia area in the brain tissue was depressed by CPY,the ratio of Caspase-3 proteinum expression was decreased(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The CPY can prevent cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury by reduce the number of nerve cells apoptosis and the level of Caspase-3 in brain.

Key words: Cyproheptadine, Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, Protect effect, Nerve cell apoptosis, Caspase-3