ST-1942 is a 2-aminotetraline derivative provided with anti-inflammatory properites (P. Piovesan, et al. 33rd SfN meeting). Since ischemic brain injury is accompanied by a marked inflammatory reaction that contributes to the evolution of tissue injury, we set to determine the effect of ST1942 in a mouse model of ischemia/reperfusion. Ischemia was induced by intraluminal occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO) in C57BL/6 mice. After 15 min, reperfusion was allowed by removing the nylon monofilament occluding the artery. The occurrence of ischemia was verified by laser doppler flowmetry and only mice showing >75% reduction of blood flow for the whole ischemic period were included in the study. ST 1942, at the dose of 25 mg/kg, or saline were injected intraperitoneally 30 min, 6, 24, 36 h from the beginning of ischemia. Ischemic volume was determined in the two experimental groups 48h later by neutral red staining and quantified by an Analyzing Image System. The results show that ST1942 significantly r...