Effects of idebenone on neurological deficits following cerebrovascular lesions in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The effects of 6-(10-hydroxydecyl)-2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone (idebenone) on neurological deficits following cerebrovascular lesions were examined in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). The SHRSP were maintained on a 1% NaCl solution as drinking water to shorten the onset time of cerebrovascular lesions (stroke). After the onset of stroke, the salt solution was exchanged for tap water, and idebenone (30 and 100 mg/kg) was administered orally once daily for 3 weeks. The neurological deficits were evaluated by a specially designed scoring system or by an open-field test. Idebenone decreased the severity of the neurological deficits in a dose-dependent manner and this was statistically significant in the high-dose group. The severity of neurological changes was inversely related to the motor activity in the open-field test performed when the experiment was terminated, indicating the appropriateness of the scoring system. Moreover, the compound (100 mg/kg) significantly ameliorated a decrease in food intake (anorexia) that followed the onset of stroke. These results suggest that idebenone may be useful to treat patients with cerebrovascular lesions.