The effects of tacrolimus on cognitive functions in a rat model of cerebral vasospasm

Abstract

Aim: The present study aims to demonstrate the efficacy of tacrolimus (TAC), an agent showing immunosuppressive effects through calcineurin inhibition, in the treatment of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH)-induced cerebral vasospasm in rat models. Material and Methods: The study, after gaining the approval of the ethics committee, included 18 male Sprague-Dawley rats which were allowed to swim in four directions within a Morris water maze until the cognitive function curves reached a plateau (4 days). After the retention swimming, four extremities were found while the rats were held in a prone position with the head at 20 degrees flexion under general anaesthesia. SAH was induced through the administration of 0.4 cc/ kg of autologous arterial blood into the cisterna magna. Tacrolimus (0.5 mg/ kg, 2 doses) was administered intraperitoneally for the treatment of the induced vasospasm, and its effi cacy was investigated. Conclusion: When the threeday all-direction swimming times of the control, of SAH and SAH-TAC groups were compared, a decrease was noted in the mean times of swimming within the group administered with tacrolimus after SAH, although a Kruskal-Wallis variance analysis did not indicate any significant difference in the distribution of the mean three-day swimming times between control, SAH and SAH-TAC groups, at a 95% confidence interval (P = 0.366).