Effects of L-tetrahydropalmatine on energy metabolism, endothelin-1 and NO during acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion of rats.

To investigate the effects of L-tetrahydropalmatine (L-THP) on energy metabolism, endothelin-1 (ET-1) and NO during acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion of rats, 24 Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups, with 6 rats in each group: sham-operation group, simple ischemia group, ischemia-reperfusion group and treatment group (L-THP group). Cerebral ATP, lactate, ET-1 and NO levels were measured in all groups. Our results showed that treatment with L-THP could increase cerebral ATP levels, but decrease cerebral lactate, ET-1 and NO concentrations during ischemia-reperfusion in the treatment group. It is concluded that L-THP could improve cerebral energy metabolism and protect the injured brain tissue, the mechanism of which might be related to suppression of overproduction of ET-1 and NO.