The benefit of hypothermia in experimental ischemic stroke is not affected by pethidine

Abstract

Background: Hypothermia is a promising experimental treatment for acute ischemic stroke. Human trials are still at an early stage, with the focus now on using hypothermia in awake patients. Pethidine (meperidine) is the principle agent used to control shivering in humans; however, whether it has any modulating effects on the neuroprotective efficacy of hypothermia is unknown. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine if pethidine influences the neuroprotective effect of hypothermia in experimental stroke. Methods: Seventy-two male spontaneously hypertensive rats were anesthetized with isoflurane and randomly assigned to either normothermia (37·4°C rectal temperature); hypothermia (33°C mai..