Activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 increases following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion,and is associated with cerebral microvascular permeability,blood-brain barrier destruction,inflammatory cell infiltration and brain edema.Matrix metalloproteinase-9 also likely participates in thrombolysis.A rat model of middle cerebral artery infarction was established by injecting autologous blood clots into the internal carotid artery.At 3 hours following model induction,urokinase was injected into the caudal vein.Decreased neurological severity score,reduced infarct volume,and increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 were observed in the cerebral cortex 24 hours after urokinase thrombolysis.These results suggest that urokinase can suppress damage in the acute-early stage of cerebral infarction. Activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 also following cerebral ischemia / reperfusion, and is associated with cerebral microvascular permeability, blood-brain barrier destruction, inflammatory cell infiltration and brain edema. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 also likely participates in thrombolysis. artery infarction was established by injecting autologous blood clots into the internal carotid artery. At 3 hours following model induction, urokinase was injected into the caudal vein. Decreased neurological severity score, reduced infarct volume, and increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 were observed in the cerebral cortex for 24 hours after urokinase thrombolysis. These results suggest that urokinase can suppress damage in the acute-early stage of cerebral infarction.