[Early reactive changes of the astrocytes in the midbrain paranigral nucleus after forebrain ischemia and cerebroprotector Ropren administration in rats].

The aim of this study was to detect morphological equivalents of cerebroprotective effect of polyprenol drug Ropren on the astrocytes of the midbrain paranigral nucleus (PNN) which are located outside the focus of forebrain ischemia in rats. In mature rats (n = 8) the cerebral ischemia was reproduced under the narcosis by bilateral occlusion of both carotid arteries. Four rats received daily intraperitoneal injections of 11.6 mg/kg of cerebroprotector Ropren. Sham-operated animals served as a control. The animals were decapitated at experimental day 7. Astrocytes of anterior ventral portion of midbrain PNN were studied using an immunocytochemical method demonstrating glial fibrillary acidic protein. The number of astrocytes, their cell body profile area, the length of their major processes and the distance between their cell bodies and capillary wall were measured. It was found that Ropren suppressed astrocyte hypertrophic reaction, their migration towards the vascular wall and presumably stimulated the proliferation of these cells.