Mohammad Allahtavakoli - Physiology-Pharmacology Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
Mohammadamin Hosseini Kahnouei - Physiology-Pharmacology Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
Hosseinali Rezazadeh - Physiology-Pharmacology Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
Ali Roohbakhsh - Pharmaceutical Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Mohammad Hossein Mahmoodi - Physiology-Pharmacology Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
Amir Moghadam-Ahmadi - Department of Neurology, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
Mohammadreza Zarisfi - Physiology-Pharmacology Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

Objective(s):Hypothermia and decompressive craniectomy (DC) have been shown to be neuroprotective. This study was designed to evaluate neuroprotective effects of delayed singular or combination of DC and local hypothermia on stroke. Materials and Methods: Cerebral ischemia was induced in ۴۸ Wistar rats assigned to ۴ groups: control, decompressive craniectomy (DC), local hypothermia (LH), combination of hypothermia and craniectomy (HC). Infarct size and BBB disruption were measured ۴۸ hr after ischemia insult. Neurological deficits were assessed at ۲۴ and ۴۸ hr after stroke by using sticky tape test, hanging-wire test and Bederson’s scoring system. BBB disruption was measured by Evans blue dye leakage. Results: Although infarct size was significantly reduced in LH, DC and HC groups (P<۰.۰۰۱), combination therapy was more neuroprotective compared to craniectomy alone (P<۰.۰۱). BBB disruption was significantly reduced in DC (P< ۰.۰۵) and LH and HC (P< ۰.۰۱).While sticky tape test (PPP<۰.۰۵) showed better behavioral performance only in HC, Bederson test showed improved behavioral functions of both LH (PPP<۰.۰۱). Neurological deficits were also decreased in LH (P<۰.۰۵) or HC (PPConclusion: Based on our data, although both delayed local hypothermia and craniectomy are protective after stoke, combination therapy of them is more neuroprotective than given alone.

Decompressive craniectomy, Local hypothermia, Stroke