Indomethacin inhibits delayed DNA fragmentation of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons after transient forebrain ischemia in gerbils.

Recent studies have shown a close association between reactive oxygen species and DNA fragmentation and that delayed neuronal death after transient forebrain ischemia manifests as DNA fragmentation-like apoptosis. We examined the effect of indomethacin on ischemic-induced delayed hippocampal neuronal death in gerbils using the TUNEL staining method, since indomethacin is neuroprotective in a variety of degenerative processes, such as Alzheimer's disease. Indomethacin (5 mg/kg, i.p.), administered 5 min before the ischemic insult, significantly decreased the number of TUNEL-positive hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons and delayed the appearance of TUNEL-positive neurons. Our results indicate that indomethacin is effective in inhibiting DNA fragmentation after transient forebrain ischemia. Copyright 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.