Effect of bezafibrate on the sequelae of acute experimental focal cerebral ischaemia.

The possibility that the ability of bezafibrate to lower the oxygen affinity of haemoglobin might lead to an increased oxygen delivery to ischaemic cerebral tissue was explored in preliminary studies in two animal models. The combined morbidity and mortality of unilateral carotid ligation in the gerbil appeared to be reduced at two hours in bezafibrate treated animals. By four hours and thereafter the outcome was unaffected. Two hours after MCA occlusion bezafibrate-treated rats showed a significantly reduced rise in tissue lactate concentration (p less than 0.01) suggesting less anaerobic metabolism had occurred in the ischaemic tissue.