OBJCETIVE Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that consumption of moderate amounts of red wine is associated with significant reductions in incidences of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases,which may be related to alcohol in red wine.Our previous study demonstrated that ethanol ingestion 24 h prior to induction of cerebral ischemic/reperfusion(I/R)reduced delayed neuronal death(DND).Our most recent results supported a role for big Ca2+-sensitive K+channel(BKCa channel)activation in the neuroprotective effects of ethanol preconditioning(Et OH-PC)in global cerebral I/R.Therefore,we hypothesis that moderate Et OH-PC activates BKCa channel to protect brain damage induced by focal cerebral I/R.This project will utilize focal cerebral I/R animal model to explore the function of BKCa channel in Et OH-PC protection in vivo levels by means of pharmacological intervention such as BKCa channel opene(rNS11021,NS)and blocke(rpaxilline,PX).The results will provide theoretical evidence for neuroprotective effect of moderate alcohol preconditioning against ischemic stroke,and the conclusion will also bring to a concept that extrinsic moderate ethanol preconditioning may activate intrinsic protective mechanism in the brain.METHODS The SD rat were randomly divided into the following six groups(n=10):sham,I/R,Et OH-PC+I/R,NS11021-PC+I/R,paxilline+Et OH-PC+I/R,Paxilline+NS11021-PC+I/R.Both Et OH-PC and NS11021-PC(0.1mg·kg-1;ip)were induced 24 h before I/R.The volume of 95%ethanol to be instilled(inμL)was calculated as follows:〔body weight(g)×0.6〕+0.3.This volume of ethanol was mixed in 0.3 m L of sterile distilled water just before administration to the animals by gavage.The Paxilline(2.5 mg·kg-1;ip)was administered 10min beforeEt OH-PC and NS11021-PC.The right middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)was produced by inversion of a 4-0-nylon filament.The filament was withdrawn 2 h after onset of MCAO and then reperfused.Neurological deficits and infarct volume were measured 24 h after I/R.Another 36 rats were randomly divided into 6 groups as above,6 in each group.DWI were performed 2h after ischemic and T2WI MRI were performed 24 h after I/R to observe the infarct volume of brain and the penumbra volume of brain in each group.Then rats were killed and detected the apoptotic cell death and degeneration of neurons.RESULTS Compared to I/R group,the neurological score(P<0.01),the infarct volume of brain(P<0.01),the infarct volume of ischemic penumbra(P<0.01),the percentage of apoptotic cell death(P<0.01)and the percentage of degenerative neurons(P<0.01)were significantly decreased after ethanol preconditioning,while these changes were reversed by paxilline(P<0.05);compared to I/R group,the neurological score(P<0.01),the infarct volume of brain(P<0.01),the infarct volume of ischemic penumbra(P<0.01),the percentage of apoptotic cell death(P<0.01)and the percentage of degenerative neurons(P<0.01)were significantly decreased after NS11021 preconditioning,while these changes were reversed by paxilline(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Our results show that moderate alcohol preconditioning activates BKCa channels to protect brain damage induced by focal cerebral I/R. OBJCETIVE Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that consumption of moderate amounts of red wine is associated with significant reductions in incidences of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, which may be related to alcohol in red wine. Previous study demonstrated that ethanol ingestion 24 h prior to induction of cerebral most recently results supported a role for big Ca2 + -sensitive K + channel (BKCa channel) activation in the neuroprotective effects of ethanol preconditioning (EtOH-PC) in global cerebral I / R. Therefore, we hypothesis that moderate Et OH-PC activates BKCa channel to protect brain damage induced by focal cerebral I / R. This project will utilize focal cerebral I / R animal model to explore the function of BKCa channel in Et OH-PC protection in vivo levels by means of pharmacological intervention such as BKCa channel opene (rNS11021, NS) and blocke (rpaxilline, PX). The results will provide theoretical evidence fo r neuroprotective effect of moderate alcohol preconditioning against ischemic stroke, and the conclusion will also bring to a concept that extrinsic moderate ethanol preconditioning may activate intrinsic protective mechanism in the brain. METHODS The SD rat were randomly divided into the following six groups (n = 10 ): sham I / R EtOH-PC + I / R NS11021-PC + I / R paxilline + EtOH- PC + I / R Paxilline + NS11021- PC + I / R.Both EtOH- The volume of 95% ethanol to be instilled (in μL) was calculated as follows: [body weight (g) × 0.6] + 0.3. This volume of ethanol was mixed in 0.3 m L of sterile distilled water just before administration to the animals by gavage. Paxilline (2.5 mg · kg-1; ip) was administered 10 min before EtOH-PC and NS11021-PC. The right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was produced by inversion of a sured 24h after I / R.Another 36 rats were randomly divided into 6 groups as above, 6 in each group. DWI were performed 2h after ischemic and T2 WI MRI were performed 24 h after I / R to observe the infarct volume of brain and the penumbra volume of brain in each group. Rats were killed and detected the apoptotic cell death and degeneration of neurons .RESULTS Compared to I / R group, the neurological score (P <0.01), the infarct volume of brain (P <0.01) the percentage of apoptotic cell death (P <0.01) and the percentage of degenerative neurons (P <0.01) were significantly decreased after ethanol preconditioning, while these changes were The percentage of apoptotic cell death (P <0.01), the infarct volume of brain (P <0.01), the percentage of apoptotic cell death P <0.01) and the percentage of degenerative neurons (P <0.01) were significantly decreased after NS11021 preconditioning, while thes e changes were by by paxilline (P <0.05). CONCLUSION Our results show that moderate alcohol preconditioning activates BKCa channels to protect brain damage induced by focal cerebral I / R.