MATERIAL and METHODS: Experiments were performed on 30 adult male Sprague- Dawley rats (285-425 g). Left middle cerebral artery occlusion following microcraniectomy and simultaneous bilateral carotid artery occlusion were performed. Three different treatments were included in this study: (a) “naïve” control group (no drug applied; n = 10); (b) “sham surgery” control group (only saline was applied; n = 10); and a (c) “treatment group (n = 10) where mexiletine was applied. After 24 h from ischemic insult, all rats were decapitated and prepared for immunocytochemical and histopathological analyses. Cerebral infarct volumes were calculated and compared using ANOVA and a Post- Hoc Bonferroni test in each group statistically.

RESULTS: The results showed statistically significant differences between the treatment (81.98 ± 12.58 mm?), control (121.57 ± 11.41 mm?) and sham (116.08 ± 12.36 mm?) groups (p < 0,0001), respectively.

CONCLUSION: Mexiletine should be considered as an alternative medication for prevention and treatment of ischemic brain injury due to its multipotent effects. Keywords : Cerebral ischemia, Mexiletine, Middle cerebral artery occlusion