Hypothermia protects astrocytes during ischemia in cell culture.

A mild decrease in temperature (2-3 degrees) can result in marked attenuation of ischemic neuronal damage in living animals. We now report the protective effects of hypothermia in an astrocyte with simulated ischemia in cell culture system. Hypothermia when used during ischemia showed significant reduction of damage. Brief episodes of post-ischemic hypothermia were not protective whereas more prolonged post-ischemic hypothermia showed moderate protection. Cell culture systems may prove to be useful tools to study the mechanisms of hypothermic protection during ischemia.