Comparing Two Different Statins in a Delayed Pharmacological Treatment for Ischemic Stroke

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and the top cause of long term disability. Currently there exists no standardized treatment of care for ischemic stroke patients during the days following stroke other than giving aspirin. A drug combination containing fluoxetine, one of two statins, and ascorbic acid was used to try and improve motor function following strokes in rats. Endothelin induced stroke survival surgery was performed on the right cortex of Long Evans and Sprague Dawley rats. Functional tests were completed pre- and post-surgery and immunohistochemistry was carried out to analyze infarct volume, angiogenesis, and the glial scar. Significant recovery of function was seen after treatment with fluoxetine, simvastatin, and ascorbic acid. Strong trends indicating increased angiogenesis and reduced infarct volume following treatment with fluoxetine, atorvastatin, and ascorbic acid. The glial scar was significantly reduced in animals treated with the atorvastatin combination. Increases in angiogenesis and neurogenesis caused by pharmacological treatment could be helpful in reducing the lifelong implications of stroke