Objective: Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are frequently used in the treatment of essential hypertension causing disorders especially in the cerebral circulation. In this study, neuroprotective effect, and mechanism of action of ACE inhibitors in focal cerebral ischemia created in rats via unilateral common carotid artery ligation were examined and their effects on behavior patterns were tested.

Methods: Thirty rats were used in this study. The rats were separated into 5 groups randomly. Following left common carotid artery ligation, Group 1 was given captopril, Group 2 ramipril, and Group 3 perindopril. Group 4 received normal saline for 7 days, and Group 5 was used as a control group. The rats were sacrificed after carrying out behavioral tests for 7 days. Their exenterated brains were histopathologically examined.

Results: Neuronal damage was lower in ACE inhibitor groupa in comparison to the normal saline group The lowest neuronal damage was observed in the perindopril group. The results of behavioral tests indicated that ACE inhibitors did not have any effect on behavior patterns in cerebral ischemia.

Conclusions: Our data indicate that perindopril, ramipril and captopril have beneficial effects in brain ischemia and should be tried as therapeutic agents in the management of this condition.

Keywords: ACE inhibitors, neuron, neuroprotective effects, cerebral ischemia