Effects of apocynin and ethanol on intracerebral haemorrhage-induced brain injury in rats

In the present study, we investigated whether the administration of apocynin, an NADPH oxidase inhibitor, provided brain protection in a rat model of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). Rats were divided into sham, ICH untreated, ICH treated with vehicle (ethanol) and ICH treated with apocynin groups. Intracerebral haemorrhage was induced by collagenase injection. Neurological function, haemorrhage volume and brain oedema were measured 24 h after ICH. Intracerebral haemorrhage caused significant neurological deficit associated with brain oedema. Apocynin (3, 10 and 30 mg/kg) failed to reduce brain injury after ICH. Low dose ethanol (0.2 g/kg) improved neurological function and reduced brain oedema (ICH-vehicle vs ICH-untreated, P < 0.05). In conclusion, apocynin has no neuroprotective effect when administered intraperitoneally after ICH.