Brain edema aggravates primary brain injury and increases its mortality rate after ischemic stroke. It is believed that normobaric oxygen therapy (NBO) may produce neuroprotective effects against ischemic stroke; however, reports have been controversial, and its effects on vasogenic brain edema as a major complication of brain ischemia have not been clarified. The present study investigates the effects of NBO on cerebral edema and blood – brain barrier integrity using rat model of ischemic stroke. Transient focal cerebral ischemia was induced in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats by left middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 90 min followed by 24 h reperfusion. Early NBO supplementation was started 15 min after MCAO and continued for 90 min. The results of the present study show that early oxygen therapy following acute ischemic stroke does not reduce vasogenic brain edema, nor does it protect against oxidative stress-induced BBB destruction. Additionally, cerebral edema formation occurs in conjunction with an increased mortality rate, serious brain injury, and impairment of brain antioxidant power. These findings suggest that further experimental studies should be carried out to clarify the beneficial effects and potential side effects of early oxygen therapy in acute ischemic stroke before its clinical use.

Stroke is the third cause of death and disability in many human societies. Millions of people suffer from the disease each year. Ischemic stroke accounts for 83% of all cases of stroke. This type of stroke is caused by permanent or temporary stoppage of the bloodstream of a part of the brain. Due to the complexity of the pathophysiologic factors contributing to the ischemic injury of the brain, there is still no effective treatment for it. In the present study, the effects of concomitant treatment of candesartan as an antagonist of type I angiotensin II receptor antagonist in rat localized ischemic assay are presented. In this study, 81 male Sprague-Dawley rats were studied in three groups (n = 27), control, ischemic control and candesartan treatment. Local brain ischemia was developed for 90 minutes using an intermediate artery occlusion technique and continued with 24-hour reperfusion. Each main group was randomly divided into three subgroups. Neurological disorders were evaluated using a special test. Occurrence of ischemia in animals: The ischemic control group caused severe motor and sensory impairment with significant lesion in the left hemisphere. Administration of candesartan significantly improves sensory and motor impairment compared with the ischemic control group. Was able to protect against the onset of ischemic stroke in a local rat brain ischemia test. Candesartan therapy improves sensory and motor impairment due to ischemic stroke.