Calpain inhibitor A-558693 in experimental focal cerebral ischemia in rats.

Objectives: Calpains are intracellular proteases, which are activated in various cerebral injuries. We studied the expression of mu-calpain in a model of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion and the efficacy of the calpain inhibitor A-558693.

Methods: A transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery was produced in male Wistar rats by using the suture model with 3 hours of ischemia and 24 hours of reperfusion.