Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of BPI-1095 on caspase-3 protein expression in middle artery occlusion(MCAO) rats.Methods Cerebral ischemia was induced with MCAO in adult male SD rats.Rats were randomly subjected into 6 groups with 15 rats in each group.Each rat has been given tested medication of different dosage and was sacrificed 24 h after treatment.The area of infarction was measured on each slice by image analysis system.Meanwhile,immunohistochemistry staining was used to identify caspase-3 expression in ischemic brain tissue.Results The infarcted area were significantly decreased in big and moderate dose treated rats(P<0.05,vs the placebo group).The expression of caspase-3 protein decreased in contralateral and ipsilateral hemisphere areas.The caspase-3 positive cell was significantly decreased in rats treated with big doses compared with placebo-or ASA-treated rats.Conclusion BPI-1095 shows neuroprotection in MCAO rats,which may related with the inhibition of caspase-3 expression resulting in apoptosis in penumbra.

Key words: cerebral ischemia, mmiddle artery occlusion(MCAO), caspase-3, apoptosis, penumbra