Extracellular changes of taurine in the peri-infarct zone: effect of lubeluzole.

Lubeluzole is a neuroprotective compound that has been shown to stereoselectively rescue sensorimotor function and reduce infarct size in a photochemical stroke model in rats. Tissue swelling, which occurs in the peri-infarct zone, is accompanied by a compensatory taurine release. Therefore, using a microdialysis technique, we aimed at measuring changes of extracellular concentrations of taurine in the peri-infarct zone and the effects of lubeluzole and its R-isomer. Lubeluzole blocked the increase of taurine in tissue immediately surrounding a photochemically induced thrombotic neocortical infarct. By contrast, the R-isomer was completely inactive. We hypothesize that lubeluzole may reduce osmoregulatory stress in peri-infarct tissue.