Protective effect of inosine against cell death after photochemically induced focal cerebral ischemia was investigated in adult rats. Intraperitoneal injection of inosine was started 24 h before operation and continued till the animals were sacrificed.The TUNEL method and Nissl staining were used to identify apoptosis and necrosis,respectively.TUNEL-positive cells were located in the transitional zone between the necrotic core and normal cortex.The mean maximum area of the necrotic cores and mean number of TUNEL-positive cells 24 h after operation were reduced significantly in the inosine-treated rats when compared with those in the saline-treated control animals. We suggest that inosine can significantly reduce both necrosis and apoptosis following cerebral ischemia induced by photothrombosis in adult rats. Protective effect of inosine against cell death after photochemically induced focal cerebral ischemia was investigated in adult rats. Intraperitoneal injection of inosine was started 24 h before operation and continued till the animals were sacrificed. The TUNEL method and Nissl staining were used to identify apoptosis and necrosis , respectively.TUNEL-positive cells were located in the transitional zone between the necrotic core and normal cortex. The mean maximum area of ​​the necrotic cores and the mean number of TUNEL-positive cells after 24 h after operation were reduced significantly in the inosine-treated rats when compared with those in the saline-treated control animals. We suggest that inosine can significantly reduce both necrosis and apoptosis following cerebral ischemia induced by photothrombosis in adult rats.