Research ReportProtective effect of serofendic acid, administered intravenously, on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

•Serofendic acid is a low-molecular-weight compound derived from fetal calf serum.•Serofendic acid reduced the infarct volume induced by MCA occlusion.•Serofendic acid also improved the neurological dysfunction.

Serofendic acid is a low-molecular-weight compound extracted from fetal calf serum. We previously reported that intracerebroventricular administration of serofendic acid prevents cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. However, the effect of peripheral administration of serofendic acid on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury has not been examined. In the present study, we investigated the effect of intravenous administration of serofendic acid against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury using transient middle cerebral artery occlusion model rats. Serofendic acid (10 mg/kg) administrated three times, including 30 min before the onset of ischemia, just after the onset of ischemia and just before reperfusion reduced the infarct volume and improved the neurological dysfunction induced by ischemia-reperfusion without affecting regional cerebral blood flow or physiological parameters. However, there were no protective effects when serofendic acid (30 mg/kg) was only administered once at 30 min before the onset of ischemia, just after the onset of ischemia, or just before reperfusion. Our results reveal the importance of maintaining the blood concentration of serofendic acid for preventing cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.