Аннотация:Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of lith-
ium chloride in various dosages on mortality in ischemic stroke in rats.
Methods: The study used male rats weighing 312 ± 12.5 g. The model
of Long’s focal ischemia was used as a basis. The animals were split
into 5 groups: false-operated, control (model of ischemic stroke with
the introduction of 0.9% NaCl) and three groups in which the simula-
tion of ischemic stroke was combined with the introduction of lithium
chloride in various concentrations (4.2 mg/kg, 21 mg/kg and 63 mg/
kg, respectively). The drug was administered daily for 14 days. Daily,
cumulative, and final mortality rates were evaluated.
Results: According to the results of the experiment, the following data
on mortality were obtained: false – operated rats – 0 out of 8, control
group – 13 out of 22 (lethality 59%), group III (LiCl 4.2 mg/kg) – 8 out
of 14 (lethality 57%), p > 0.05 relative to the control, group IV (LiCl
21 mg/kg) - 6 out of 15 (lethality 40%) p > 0.05 relative to the control
and in group V (LiCl 63 mg/kg), 4 out of 15 animals died (lethality 27%)
p = 0.0317 relative to the control. The highest mortality rate in the con-
trol group was observed on day 1 (22.7%). In groups IV and V, the daily
mortality rate was evenly distributed, in group III the largest number
of animals died on day 3 (3 out of 14; 21.42%). The cumulative mor-
tality rate in group III significantly differed from the control one only
on day 2 (p < 0.05). In group IV, cumulative mortality was significantly
lower up to 7 days (p < 0.05). In group V, cumulative mortality was sig-
nificantly lower (p < 0.05) until 14 days after euthanasia.
Conclusions: Long-term administration of lithium chloride at a dose
of 63 mg/kg significantly reduced the mortality of laboratory animals
after a stroke. The effect of the drug at a dose of 21 mg/kg was less pro-
nounced. The dose of 4.2 mg/kg showed no neuroprotective effect.