Summary: Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a polypeptide that supports the survival of brain cells (in cluding neurons, glia, and endothelia) and protects neu rons against a number qf toxins and insults in vitro. This factor is also a potent dilator of cerebral pial arterioles in vivo. In previous studies, we found that intraventricularly administered bFGF reduced infarct volume in a model of focal cerebral ischemia in rats. In the current study, bFGF (45 I-lg/kg/h) in vehicle, or vehicle alone, was in fused intravenously for 3 h, beginning at }O min after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion by intralumi nal suture in mature Sprague-Dawley rats. After 24 h, neurological deficit (as assessed by a 0-to 5-point scale, with 5 = most severe) was 2.6 ± 1.0 in vehicle-treated "Neurotrophic" growth factors are polypeptides that, acting through specific receptors, initiate cas cades of signal transduction resulting in increased neuronal survival. Recently, it has been appreciated that these factors also protect neurons against var ious insults and toxins. In particular, basic fibro blast growth factor (bFGF) is a 154-amino acid, 18-kD polypeptide that supports the survival of a wide
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