Cardiovascular exercise mitigates reperfusion failure and persistent hypoperfusion in the thrombin model of stroke and thrombolysis.

ABSTRACT: Ischemic stroke remains a significant healthcare challenge, with reperfusion failure - insufficient tissue reperfusion despite successful vessel recanalization - limiting the effectiveness of recanalization treatments. However, mechanisms of reperfusion failure remain elusive, and effective treatments are lacking. This study explored whether early cardiovascular exercise could mitigate reperfusion failure. Using a rat model of ischemic stroke and thrombolysis, treadmill exercise was initiated 2 days post-stroke. Brain perfusion and functional recovery were assessed using MRI, Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) and functional tests. All rats treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) demonstrated successful clot dissolution. However, brain perfusion only recovered to 67.6% ± 8.7% of bas

SUBMITTER: Middleham W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12811084 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature