Immunophilin ligands FK506 and cyclosporine A improve neurologic and histopathologic outcome after transient spinal cord ischemia in rabbits

FK506 and chronic administration of cyclosporine A, but not rapamycin, protect the spinal cord from transient ischemia. Although these results are compatible with inhibition of calcineurin in the mechanism of neuroprotective action of these drugs, other effects through different pathways cannot be excluded before further study.