Effect of the free radical scavenger, 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (MCI-186), on hypoxia-ischemia-induced brain injury in neonatal rats.

The free radical scavenger 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (MCI-186), which has been approved in Japan for use in patients with cerebral infarction, was used to treat ischemic-hypoxic brain damage in neonatal rats. Seven-day-old rat pups were subjected to a modified Levine procedure, then given either vehicle or MCI-186 (at one of three dosage levels: 3, 6, or 9 mg/kg), and the extent of brain damage was evaluated either 24 h or 7 days later. The administration of MCI-186 significantly attenuated damage, in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that MCI-186 is a promising candidate for the treatment of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.