Experimental cerebral ischemia in Mongolian gerbils. IV. Behaviour of biogenic amines

Enhanced contractility of intraparenchymal arterioles after global cerebral ischaemia in rat - new insights into the development of delayed cerebral hypoperfusion

AIM

Delayed cerebral hypoperfusion is a secondary complication found in the days after transient global cerebral ischaemia that worsens the ischaemic damage inflicted by the initial transient episode of global cerebral ischaemia. A recent study demonstrated increased cerebral vasoconstriction in the large arteries on the brain surface (pial arteries) after global cerebral ischaemia. However, smaller arterioles inside the brain (parenchymal arterioles) are equally important in the regulation of cerebral blood flow and yet their pathophysiology after global cerebral ischaemia is largely unknown. Therefore, we investigated whether increased contractility occurs in the intraparenchymal arterioles.

METHODS

Global cerebral ischaemia was induced in male Wistar rats by bilateral common carotid occlusion for 15 min combined with hypovolaemia. Regional cerebral blood flow was determined by quantitative autoradiography. Intraparenchymal arterioles were isolated and pressurized, and concentration-response curves to endothelin-1 with and without the endothelin B receptor-selective antagonist BQ788 was generated. Endothelin B receptor expression was investigated by quantitative flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

We observed increased endothelin-1-mediated contractility of parenchymal arterioles correlating with reduced cerebral blood flow of the cortex, hippocampus and caudate nucleus 48 h after global cerebral ischaemia. The increased endothelin-1-mediated contractility was abolished by BQ788, and the vascular smooth muscle cell-specific expression of endothelin B receptors was significantly increased after global cerebral ischaemia.

CONCLUSION

Increased endothelin-1-mediated contractility and expression of endothelin B receptors in the intraparenchymal vasculature contributes to the development of delayed cerebral hypoperfusion after global cerebral ischaemia in combination with vascular changes of the pial vasculature.

Early MEK1/2 inhibition after global cerebral ischemia in rats reduces brain damage and improves outcome by preventing delayed vasoconstrictor receptor upregulation

Background

Global cerebral ischemia following cardiac arrest is associated with increased cerebral vasoconstriction and decreased cerebral blood flow, contributing to delayed neuronal cell death and neurological detriments in affected patients. We hypothesize that upregulation of contractile ET_B and 5-HT_1B receptors, previously demonstrated in cerebral arteries after experimental global ischemia, are a key mechanism behind insufficient perfusion of the post-ischemic brain, proposing blockade of this receptor upregulation as a novel target for prevention of cerebral hypoperfusion and delayed neuronal cell death after global cerebral ischemia. The aim was to characterize the time-course of receptor upregulation and associated neuronal damage after global ischemia and investigate whether treatment with the MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126 can prevent cerebrovascular receptor upregulation and thereby improve functional outcome after global cerebral ischemia. Incomplete global cerebral ischemia was induced in Wistar rats and the time-course of enhanced contractile responses and the effect of U0126 in cerebral arteries were studied by wire myography and the neuronal cell death by TUNEL. The expression of ET_B and 5-HT_1B receptors was determined by immunofluorescence.

Results

Enhanced vasoconstriction peaked in fore- and midbrain arteries 3 days after ischemia. Neuronal cell death appeared initially in the hippocampus 3 days after ischemia and gradually increased until 7 days post-ischemia. Treatment with U0126 normalised cerebrovascular ET_B and 5-HT_1B receptor expression and contractile function, reduced hippocampal cell death and improved survival rate compared to vehicle treated animals.

Conclusions

Excessive cerebrovascular expression of contractile ET_B and 5-HT_1B receptors is a delayed response to global cerebral ischemia peaking 3 days after the insult, which likely contributes to the development of delayed neuronal damage. The enhanced cerebrovascular contractility can be prevented by treatment with the MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126, diminishes neuronal damage and improves survival rate, suggesting MEK1/2 inhibition as a novel strategy for early treatment of neurological consequences following global cerebral ischemia.

Amino acid transport after transient global ischemia in rats: quantitative autoradiographic study using 3-[125I]iodo-alpha-methyl-L-tyrosine

We studied the influence of reperfusion on amino acid transport of the brain after transient global ischemia in rats. The animals were subjected to 30-min four-vessel occlusion according to the procedures developed by Pulsinelli prior to recirculation for 3, 6, 24, 48 and 72 h. We used 3-[125I]iodo-alpha-methyl-L-tyrosine as an autoradiographic tracer for selective cerebral amino acid transport maker. Following 30-min global ischemia, uptakes of 3-[125I]iodo-alpha-methyl-L-tyrosine were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in substantia nigra, striatum and ventral tegmental area (6, 24, 48 and 72 h post-reperfusion), but significantly (P < 0.05) higher in cortex and thalamus (3 and 6 h post-reperfusion). The influence of transient global ischemia on cerebral amino acid transport manifested region-specific three different patterns; namely, suppression, acceleration and no change in amino acid transport. The influence of transient ischemia on catecholamine-synthesizing brain sites is most remarkable.

Effects of BMY-21502 on anoxia in mice

The protective effects of BMY-21502 (1-[[1-[2-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyrimidinyl]-4-piperidinyl]methyl]-2- pyrrolidinone) against cerebral anoxia were investigated using various models in mice, in comparison with those of other cerebroactive drugs. Oral administration of BMY-21502 (10-100 mg/kg) significantly prolonged the survival time in KCN (2.4 mg/kg, i.v.)-induced anoxia. Oxiracetam and idebenone exerted similar but weak protection at doses above 100 mg/kg, p.o. and only at a dose of 100 mg/kg, p.o., respectively. Significant protection by BMY-21502 against moderate hypobaric hypoxia was observed at doses of 30 and 100 mg/kg, p.o. Idebenone (100 and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly prolonged the survival time of mice in this model, but oxiracetam (30-300 mg/kg, p.o.) did not. Oral administration of all of these drugs (BMY-21502, 3-300 mg/kg; Oxiracetam, 100-1000 mg/kg; Idebenone, 100-1000 mg/kg) failed to increase the number of gasps and the duration of gasping in the decapitated head of mice as a complete ischemic model. The anti-anoxic effect of BMY-21502 in the KCN-anoxia model was blocked by pretreatment with scopolamine. These findings suggest that BMY-21502 has an anti-anoxic action superior to those of the other cerebroactive drugs used, and activation of the CNS cholinergic system is involved as one of the causative mechanisms for the anti-anoxic effect of BMY-21502.

Effects of ischemia on regional ligand binding to adrenoceptors in the rat brain

Changes in ligand binding to adrenoceptors ([3H]prazosin to alpha 1-receptors, [3H]idazoxan to alpha 2-receptors and [125I]cyanopindolol to beta-receptors) following transient cerebral ischemia were investigated using autoradiographic methods. The binding was quantified in brain sections from control rats, rats subjected to 15 min of 2-vessel occlusion ischemia, and rats with recirculation times of 1 h, 1 week or 4 weeks after ischemia. No significant change in alpha 1-receptor binding was observed during and immediately following ischemia, but a decrease was noted in the vulnerable hippocampal CA1 region following 1 week's survival. In the parietal cortex, the ligand binding to alpha 1-receptors increased at 4 weeks. A reduced [3H]idazoxan binding was observed 1 h after ischemia in the temporal cortex and amygdala. No change in ligand binding to beta-receptors was seen in the early phase postischemia, but a marked increase had occurred in the hippocampal CA1 region at 1 and 4 weeks after ischemia (+163% and +142%, respectively), presumably due to accumulation of macrophages expressing beta-receptors. The early postischemic changes in receptor binding may represent downregulation of the adrenoceptors by processes activated during ischemia, while neuronal degeneration, compensatory mechanisms in surviving neurons and proliferation of non-neuronal cells may account for the subsequent changes.

Cerebral ischemia: changes in brain choline, acetylcholine, and other monoamines as related to energy metabolism

The relationship of cerebral neurotransmitters acetylcholine (ACh), noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) to the energy state of the brain was examined in mice at various times following complete ischemia produced by decapitation, in gerbils submitted to transient global ischemia (10 min bilateral carotid artery occlusion, 5 or 30 min recirculation), and in rats 24 hr after irreversible microembolism. Ischemia caused significant reductions in brain monoamine concentrations. The alterations in NA, DA, and 5HT levels persisted during recirculation and were unrelated to energy restoration. They were accompanied by an increase in the concentrations of related metabolites, suggesting that synthesis was unable to compensate for the release of the transmitters at early post-ischemic time periods. As described for the catecholamines and 5HT, ischemia resulted in a significant decrease in ACh level, but recirculation was associated with a rapid increase in ACh concentration. Impaired synthesis and/or increased release of ACh can be responsible for the decrease in ACh concentration during ischemia. Early post-ischemic elevation of ACh may be related to the large increase in brain choline brought about by ischemia.

Changes in striatal dopamine metabolism measured by in vivo voltammetry during transient brain ischemia in rats

In vivo voltammetry was used in rats with brain ischemia induced by four-vessel occlusion to measure changes in dopamine metabolism via measurement of peak 2 (dopamine compounds) in the striatum. Changes in regional cerebral blood flow in the striatum were also assessed by means of a temperature-controlled thermoelectrical device. Peak 2 increased by 600-900% during 30 minutes of four-vessel occlusion, which may have reflected an ischemia-provoked increase in the release of dopamine and a disturbance in the outward transport of its metabolites. Following reperfusion by discontinuation of carotid occlusion, peak 2 rapidly decreased to below control values and then gradually increased, exceeding control values at 180-210 minutes after reperfusion. REgional cerebral blood flow in the striatum decreased to almost 0 ml/100 g/min during the ischemic period, transiently increased to greater than control values after reperfusion, then gradually decreased during the next 240 minutes. Since dopamine is known to have various effects on cerebral metabolism and blood flow, alterations in its behavior may contribute to changes in cerebral blood flow and to postischemic brain damage. In vivo voltammetry may be useful in the investigation of the pathophysiology of brain ischemia.

Regional monoamine and metabolite levels in a feline brain tumor model

The presence of a brain tumor alters regional cerebral blood flow, oxygen consumption, and glucose utilization in adjacent and remote brain tissue, but its effect on brain neurotransmitter levels is unclear. In the present report, the levels of noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in tumor tissue and gray and white matter obtained from cats with induced brain tumors were measured. Glioma cells (9L) were xenotransplanted into the central white matter of the right hemisphere, and 15 d later the brains were frozen in vivo. Samples of tumor, parietal (peritumor), temporal, and frontal gray and white matter were divided for analysis of water content and quantification of amines and their metabolites. The water content of white matter, but not gray matter, adjacent to the tumor was increased. Neurotransmitter amine and metabolite levels were much lower in the tumor than in brain tissue. In gray matter adjacent to the tumor, concentrations of DA and its metabolites HVA and DOPAC were significantly decreased from control, whereas 5-HIAA was increased. The NA, DA, HVA, and DOPAC levels were decreased in temporal gray matter, whereas all amine and metabolite levels were unchanged in frontal gray matter. These results indicate that altered neurotransmitter metabolism is one of the effects of the presence of a brain tumor.

Inhibition of ischemia-induced brain catecholamine alterations by clonidine

The effect of clonidine, an alpha 2-agonist, on ischemia-induced alterations in brain catecholamine and metabolite levels was studied in Mongolian gerbils subjected to 180 min of unilateral cerebral ischemia. The gerbils were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: sham-operated or unilateral carotid lesion; each pretreated with clonidine 0.4 mg/kg IP, or untreated. All animals were neurologically assessed and categorized as asymptomatic, neurological deficit or seizure activity at the time of sacrifice. Hemispheric levels of noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA), homovanillic acid (HVA), and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) were measured using high pressure liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. No changes from control were found in animals that remained asymptomatic regardless of treatment. In untreated gerbils that exhibited neurological deficits, marked reductions in both NA and DA and increases in HVA occurred in the ischemic hemisphere. These alterations were greater in gerbils that developed seizures during the observation period. Ischemic animals pretreated with clonidine did not show any significant alterations in catecholamine or metabolite levels from clonidine-treated, sham-operated controls in spite of the presence of neurological deficits. Although significant reductions in NA and DA still occurred in pretreated animals that developed seizures, the changes were markedly less than in untreated gerbils. These results indicate that alpha 2-adrenoceptor stimulation is an effective approach for inhibition of ischemia-induced brain catecholamine alterations, and thus may provide a useful method for assessing the role of catecholamine release in the production of acute ischemic neuronal damage.

Cerebral ischemia: changes in monoamines are independent of energy metabolism

The relationship of neurotransmitters and neuroeffectors to the energy state of the brain was examined in the gerbil model of ischemia after 5 and 15 min of bilateral common carotid artery occlusion only or with 1 hr of reperfusion. The gerbil brains were fixed by microwave irradiation and a total of 15 metabolites were measured from a single piece of tissue from either the hippocampus or the striatum. The rapid alterations in energy-related compounds and cyclic nucleotides appeared to be directly related both to the loss of oxygen and glucose during ischemia and the resupply of these nutrients during reflow. Significant reduction in the level of monoamines occurred principally during reflow, at a time when the energy-related metabolites were restored. It is proposed that the changes in monoamines were triggered by other ischemic-induced events unrelated to energy depletion.

Monoamine neurotransmitters in the evolution of infarction in ischemic striatum: morphologic correlation

Evolution of infarction following cerebral ischemia is a delayed process, with spongiform degeneration of the neuropil occurring 6 to 8 hours after onset of ischemia. The brains of gerbils with stroke following unilateral carotid artery ligation were examined for catecholamine-derived fluorescence (CADF) by the Falck-Hillarp technique to study the relationship of catecholamine (CA) metabolism with damage to the neuropil. CADF could still be identified in the striatum for up to 16 hours after stroke and there appeared to be spongiform degeneration of the neuropil in relation to accumulations of CADF at 7 and 16 hours after stroke. Pretreatment of gerbils with a-methyl-p-tyrosine 400 mg/kg 6 hours prior to carotid ligation depleted the striatum of CADF until 16 hours after stroke and appeared to reduce the spongiform degeneration of the neuropil, though it did not affect ischemic degeneration of neuronal cell bodies. The continued presence of CADF in the striatum for up to 16 hours after stroke supports the previously reported findings that CA nerve terminals are still functional for 8 hours after stroke and that CA metabolism continues even though levels of CA are reduced immediately after onset of ischemia due to carotid artery ligation.

Metabolism of monoamine neurotransmitters in the evolution of infarction in ischemic striatum

The time course of changes in monoamine metabolism in ischemic striatum was assessed by measurement of levels of dopamine (DA), dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA), serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxy-indole-acetic acid (5-HIAA) 2, 4, 7 and 16 hours after irreversible unilateral carotid ligation in Mongolian gerbils with stroke. DA was reduced to 30% of the level in the contralateral non-ischemic striata by 2 hours after stroke, but DOPAC was significantly elevated (p less than 0.01) to 227%, while HVA remained equal to control. At 4 hours after stroke, DOPAC was 86% of the contralateral non-ischemic striata but HVA had risen to 130%. At 7 hours after stroke, DOPAC in the ischemic striata was 148% of control, while HVA remained at 133%. By 16 hours after stroke, DA, DOPAC and HVA were depleted from the ischemic striata, corresponding to the time course for irreversible damage to the neurotransmitter uptake function of nerve terminals. 5-HT levels in the ischemic striata were 30% of control at 2 hours, 46% at 4 hours, 30% at 7 hours and 21% at 16 hours, while 5-HIAA remained equal to control throughout the time course. These studies indicate that monoamine metabolism continues in ischemic striatum for up to 8 hours after the onset of stroke following irreversible unilateral carotid ligation in the Mongolian gerbil, but metabolism of DA is disrupted by 16 hours after stroke while metabolism of 5-HT continues.

Aminergic neurotransmitter and water content changes in rats after transient forebrain ischemia

We have studied changes of cerebral monoamine metabolism and water content, during recirculation following global transient ischemia (20 min) using the four-vessel occlusion model in rats. Levels of monoamines and their metabolites were determined in cortex, striatum, hippocampus, and hypothalamus. Water content was evaluated by weight and by the analysis of T1 and T2 relaxation times in 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance. Norepinephine levels decreased; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, and 5-hydroxytryptamine levels oscillated and levels of the end products homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid increased. The regional changes were qualitatively similar but quantitatively different, and were greatest in the hippocampus, illustrating the concept of neuronal selective vulnerability. The changes suggest an initial monoamine depletion and catabolism due to massive release from stores followed by autoregulatory processes. The water content increased moderately, with a maximum at 1 h. The variations of T1 were similar, positively correlated with water content and more pronounced in the cortex than in the white matter. T2 was markedly altered over the entire 24-h period. Those latter parameters are positively correlated with 5-hydroxytryptamine concentration in the hypothalamus consistent with a relationship between 5-hydroxytryptamine and cerebral edema.

Cerebral infarction due to carotid occlusion and carbon monoxide exposure. I. Pathophysiological and neuropathological investigations

Ligation of one common carotid artery and exposure to carbon monoxide has proved to be a reliable method of producing unilateral cerebral infarcts in the rat, allowing controlled experiments in any given sample size. Pathophysiological measurements in awake and narcotized rats has shown that, in contrast to hypoxic hypoxia, the carbon monoxide-induced functional anaemia (3000 ppm in room air) did not stimulate chemoreceptors, thus causing a severe systemic hypotension owing to peripheral vascular dilatation. This hypotension is likely to represent the main pathogenetic factor in this model. An inhibition of ferro-enzymes by carbon monoxide did not seem to be involved. The only cause of death was shown to be diffuse ipsilateral brain oedema with or without extra-vasation of serum proteins. The EEG, the systemic arterial pressure, rotational behaviour, and carotidal stump pressure proved to be reliable predictors of outcome.

The blood-brain barrier following experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage. Part 2: Response to mercuric chloride infusion

Under controlled physiological conditions, fresh blood was injected into the cisterna magna of 10 adult cats to produce subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Damage to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) was induced 30 minutes after SAH by the intracarotid injection of a 6 x 10(-5)M solution of mercuric chloride (HgCl2). A control series of five cats received the same injection of HgCl2. Intravenously injected Evans blue dye was used to indicate areas of BBB damage. The lesions were confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. All control animals showed BBB damage in the hemisphere injected with HgCl2. Of the animals in the test group with SAH, 90% were free from lesions. When lesions were present, the distribution differed from that in the control group. These results bear a similarity to the reported absence of HgCl2 lesions during the acute stages after total cerebral ischemia. This suggests that the cellular components of the BBB participate in a general metabolic inhibition following SAH.

Noradrenalin-inducible cyclic-AMP accumulation in rat cerebral cortex: changes during complete global ischemia

Neurologic dysfunction after cerebral ischemic insults may be due not only to neuronal death, but also to a possibly reversible failure in synaptic transmission. Because noradrenaline (NA)-inducible cyclic-AMP (cAMP) accumulation in brain may reflect the integrity of synaptic transmission mechanisms and brain viability, we studied its changes in cerebral cortex after various durations of decapitation ischemia. Unanesthetized rats were decapitated and the brains were kept at 37 degrees C for times ranging from 0 to 60 min. Cerebral cortical slices were incubated in vitro and NA (11.2 microM)-induced cAMP accumulation was evaluated over 10 min. At 0 min of ischemia, NA-induced cAMP accumulation was 56 pmol/mg protein/10 min. Between 0 and 20 min of ischemia, a linear eightfold increase, to 435 +/- 49 pmol/mg protein/10 min, occurred in NA-induced cAMP accumulation, with no further increase after longer durations of ischemia. The mechanisms modulating the increase in cortical NA-inducible cAMP accumulation with a maximum response after 20 min of ischemia remain to be defined.

Biochemical changes during graded brain ischemia in gerbils. Part 1. Global biochemical alterations

In Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) cerebral ischemia was produced by occlusion of the right common and the left external carotid arteries. Gerbils were classified according to their neurological appearance as "symptom-negative" (8 animals), "mild symptoms" (unilateral hemiparesis, 10 animals) and "severe symptoms" (hemiparesis and rolling seizures, 8 animals). Two hours after vascular occlusion various substrates and enzymes related to the energy-producing metabolism, were assessed in tissue samples from both hemispheres. In symptom-negative animals, the only change was a slight decrease of glycolytic intermediates in the right hemisphere. In animals with mild symptoms, the right hemisphere additionally exhibited an impairment of the redox and energy state and an enhancement of the activity of most enzymes of the glycolytic pathway, except hexokinase. In animals with severe symptoms, these changes were even more pronounced and affected--to a lesser degree--also the left hemisphere. The results obtained demonstrate that the neurological appearance of the animals after vascular occlusion correlates with the biochemical alterations and, therefore, can be used for estimating the density of graded ischemia.

The effects of 5-minute ischemia in Mongolian gerbils: I. Blood-brain barrier, cerebral blood flow, and local cerebral glucose utilization changes

Changes in morphology, behavior of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), and local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) were assessed and correlated in Mongolian gerbils following 5 min cerebral ischemia, produced by bilateral clamping of the common carotid arteries. The morphological changes were confined to the hippocampus and revealed a conspicuously delayed destruction of the CA1 neurons, occurring after 3 days. Following release of carotid occlusions, there were two separate openings of the BBB. One, occurring shortly after recirculation, was associated with focal hyperemia in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and basal ganglia; the second opening was observed after several days and was associated with severe neuronal destruction in the CA1 sector. Correlation of quantitative and qualitative rCBF assays with 14C-deoxyglucose autoradiographic observations indicated an uncoupling between blood flow and glucose metabolism, observed in the hippocampus at 10 min after recirculation. The described changes provide a further insight into the post-ischemic events which determine the outcome of ischemic injury.

Effect of omental transposition on to the brain on the cortical content of norepinephrine, dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in experimental cerebral ischaemia

Local cerebral ischaemia causes a significant decrease in norepinephrine, dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine in the cortical brain tissue of rabbits, associated with an increase in 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. Previous transposition of the omentum on to the brain surface maintains, to a large extent, physiological levels of these metabolites. This study stresses the role of the transposed omentum in reducing the effects of experimental occlusion of a major cerebral artery.

Post-ischemic hypermetabolism in cat brain

Delayed postischemic brain hypoperfusion and hypermetabolism are likely detrimental factors to neurologic recovery after transient global brain ischemia and may be mediated by catecholamines acting via adrenergic receptors. We evaluated the effects of alpha and beta receptor blockade on cerebral blood flow (CBF) and metabolism after 16 min transient global brain ischemia. Ischemia was induced by arterial hypotension and a high pressure neck tourniquet in 13 anesthetized cats. Six cats were untreated, 4 received propranolol 1 mg/kg, IV and 3 a combination of propranolol and phentolamine, one mg/kg injected one min before recirculation. Total CBF was measured by continuous monitoring of cerebral venous 133Xe clearance after bolus intra-arterial injection. Arterial and cerebral venous oxygen, glucose and lactate were measured. Cerebral cortex glucose and lactate were measured 3 hours post-ischemia after in situ freezing with liquid N2. The cerebral cortex of 3 cats anesthetized, but not subjected to ischemia, was similarly frozen and analyzed for glucose and lactate. Total CBF was relatively constant for up to 3 h post-ischemia in all groups, but significant changes in fast and slow-flow rates and compartment sizes were observed. In untreated cats, the normal 60/40 percent relative weight of the fast and slow-flow compartments was reversed to 30/70 percent by 1 hr post-ischemia. Propranolol attenuated the size of the fast-flow compartment in the first 30 min post-ischemia which was partially restored by phentolamine. Brain oxygen consumption increased 2 to 3-fold by 1 h post-ischemia in all groups. Propranolol compromised CBF and impaired glucose and lactate oxidation which was partly reversed by phentolamine. We concluded that within the first 30 min post-ischemia, beta, and to a lesser extent, alpha receptors predominate in the modulation of cerebrovascular tone. By 1 h post-ischemia, however, adrenergic modulation of cerebrovascular tone is lost. Delayed post-ischemic hypermetabolism unlike stress-induced, but like hypoxia-induced hypermetabolism is only partially affected by beta blockade. Propranolol apparently compromises brain oxygen consumption secondary to a reduction in brain O2 supply while phentolamine improves perfusion and oxygen consumption.

Cerebral microembolization in the rat: changes in blood-brain barrier permeability and cerebral blood flow as related to the degree of ischemia

Unilateral cerebral microembolism was performed in the rat by injecting calibrated, 50 micrometers in diameter, carbonized microspheres into the internal carotid artery. The events that follow brain ischemia due to cerebral embolization were studied by the analysis of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) function, the degree of regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) and the development of brain edema. Two hours after embolization there was no change in the brain water content. The local CBF (14C-ethanol technique) was only reduced in the ipsilateral hemisphere. Twenty-four hours after embolization the brain water content was increased significantly in the ipsilateral, but not in the contralateral hemisphere. Local CBF further decreased in the ipsilateral hemisphere and a reduction in flow was also observed in the contralateral hemisphere. Embolization led to an increase in the BBB permeability, analysed as regional penetrability of 3H-dextran and of Evans blue-albumin complexes, which was restricted to the side of the injection of the microspheres.

Prostaglandin levels in isolated brain microvessels and in normal and norepinephrine-stimulated cat brain homogenates

The levels of PGD2, PGE2, PGF2 alpha and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (6KF1 alpha) produced from endogenous arachidonic acid (AA) were quantitated in cat cerebral cortical homogenates and microvessels isolated from cat cerebral cortex using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). There was a six-fold enrichment of 6KF1 alpha levels in isolated microvessels, compared to homogenates, suggesting that 6KF1 alpha is of vascular, rather than neuronal origin. In order to further understand any possible role that norepinephrine (NE) might have on modulation of PG synthesis, we studied the effects of 0.5 mM NE on PG synthesis from endogenous AA and from 3H-PGG2, the endoperoxide precursor of PGs. In cat cortical homogenates NE induced a 74% increase in PGD2 and PGF2 alpha, a 62% increase in PGE2, and a 36% increase in 6KF1 alpha, as measured by GC/MS. NE caused a twofold increase in the conversion of 3H-PGG2 to 3H-PGF2 alpha, with a concomitant decrease in 3H-PGE2 and 3H-6KF1 alpha formation, and no change in 3H-PGD2 synthesis. NE had no effect on the total conversion of 3H-PGG2 to 3H-PGs, nor on the breakdown of 3H-PGG2 in the absence of brain tissue. We conclude that NE stimulates extravascular synthesis of PGD2, PGE2 and PGF2 alpha by stimulation of the prostaglandin synthetase complex, in addition to NE's stimulatory effect on the conversion of PGG2 to PGF2 alpha, and that the lack of effect on NE on 6KF1 alpha synthesis reflects either a failure to achieve an adequate concentration at the vascular tissue, or an absence of the mechanism whereby NE stimulates PG synthetase.

Experimental cerebral infarction in primates: regional changes in brain histamine content

Histamine levels in different regions of the brain in the primate Macaca Radiata were studied following experimental infarction induced in the basal ganglia by coagulation of the middle cerebral artery. In the basal ganglia an elevation of histamine level was seen probably due to proliferation of mast cells. In the hypothalamus, a main constituent of the ascending histaminergic neuronal pathway, a sharp rise in histamine content occurred in infarcted as well as sham-operated animals: this probably reflects non-specific stress-related alterations. In contrast, the cortical area of the ischemic hemisphere showed a higher elevation of histamine, demonstrating that infarction in one region can cause widespread specific changes in histaminergic systems remote from the infarct. The rise in histamine level at the ischemic site could evoke an increase in microcirculation which might aggravate cerebral edema, while changes in the remote regions may be responsible for some of the neurological deficits following stroke.

Contractile responses of pial arterioles in gerbils with unilateral carotid ligation

Studies were made in an effort to detect enhanced vasoconstriction ipsilateral to a ligated common carotid artery. No effect of ligation was found on the response to topically administered serotonin, norepinephrine or prostaglandin F2 alpha, in the gerbil in spite of varying a number of parameters, including anesthesia, percent of inspired oxygen, time elapsed following ligation, or body temperature at time of examination. The response was not influenced by the presence or severity of stroke symptoms. A stronger and less specific constrictor, BaCl2, did elicit a difference between the contractile response of ligated and sham operated gerbils. In 13 of the 18 studies, BaCl2 produced a greater constriction in the ligated gerbils, and in 9 of these studies that difference was statistically significant. In only one study was there a statistically significant contrary result. The enhanced contractile response to BaCl2 could not be related to the presence or severity of symptoms or to any other of the variables mentioned above. This suggests that it was probably related to reduced intraluminal pressure distal to the ligation.

Histochemical changes of brain dopamine in an acute stage of cerebral ischemia in gerbils

The fluorescence histochemical method of Falck et al. was applied to 40 gerbil brains after ligation of a unilateral common carotid artery to investigate alterations of brain dopamine in the acute stage of cerebral ischemia. The distribution of dopaminergic terminals and cell bodies in gerbils is the same as in other mammals. On the ligated side after one hour of ischemia, diffuse green fluorescence of dopaminergic terminals showed only a slight decrease in intensity when compared to the nonligated side. But white matter and bundles of myelinated fibers adjacent to and in the dopamine-rich regions had an intense green fluorescence in contrast to the non-ligated side where they are normally non-fluorescent. This is considered to indicate the extraneuronal leakage and diffusion of dopamine. The intensity of extraneuronal green fluorescence was especially high in glial cells. Occasionally, there was also an unusual green fluorescence in the lumen of small vessels in dopamine-rich regions on the ligated side. Dopaminergic cell bodies in the substantia nigra on the ligated side revealed a conspicuous reduction in the fluorescence intensity in severely affected cases. After 2 or 3 hours of ischemia, there was a marked reduction or disappearance of the diffuse green fluorescence on the ligated side. This may be attributed in part to further diffusion of leaked dopamine.

Catecholamine levels and turnover during brain ischemia in the rat

Unilateral brain ischemia was induced in the rat by injecting radioactive microspheres into the left internal carotid artery. The microspheres were mainly distributed in the left cerebral hemisphere which contained 8 to 10 times more microspheres than the contralateral hemisphere. Embolization caused dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NA) depletion only in the left hemisphere. NA levels were already reduced 2 hours after injury while DA was still unaltered after 6 hours. A 30--40% depletion was observed for the two amines after 24 hours. Catecholamine turnover was estimated by measuring the amine depletion after synthesis inhibition with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine. During the first 2 hours following embolization, DA and NA depletions were slightly increased only in the left hemisphere, indicating an increase in catecholamine efflux. At times 24 hours, an important retardation in amine disappearance after synthesis inhibition was found for DA and NA in the left hemisphere and to a lesser extent for DA in the right hemisphere, suggesting a reduction of the physiological activity of catecholaminergic neurons. These biochemical alterations can be related to the post-stroke behavioural changes of the embolized animals which exhibited an initially increased motor activity followed by a lethargic state.

Monoamines and related enzymes in cerebral cortex and basal ganglia following transient ischemia in gerbils

The post-ischemic effects on cerebral cortex and basal ganglia monoamine levels and monoamine oxidase (MAO A and B) and catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) activities were evaluated in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) subjected to bilateral common carotid arteries of occlusion for 15 min and reflow for 7 days. Disorders of monoamine metabolism was found in ischemic brain which persisted during the long-term post-ischemia. A rebound increase of norepinephrine and serotonin appeared in early stages (up to 1 h) of post-ischemia both in cerebral cortex and basal ganglia; a rebound increase of dopamine as found only in cerebral cortex. Thereafter, the serotonin level ws enhanced over the control level during the whole post-ischemic period whereas the levels of catecholamines were reduced particularly in basal ganglia. With respect to monoamine content and activities of monoamine degraded enzymes an oscillatory behavior was observed in the post-ischemia. Disorder of the monoamine metabolism found during post-ischemic period possibly contributes to neurological dysfunction after an ischemic insult.

Effect of reperfusion on the uptake of [3H] uridine in the gerbil brain after prolonged ischaemia

The uptake of labelled uridine is reduced in the whole ischaemic hemispheres of gerbils subjected to unilateral carotid artery occlusion. Following circulatory restoration, brain structures that had an ischaemic insult of moderate intensity exhibit a progressively increased uptake. However, during reperfusion there is a tendency towards a clear cut definition of dead zones. This progression of the lesions seems to be related to a maturation phenomenon occurring in areas with an irreversible damage at the end of the ischaemic period.

Regional brain studies on indoles and tyrosine in Mongolian gerbils during nutrition with artificial mixtures high in branched chain amino acids compared to a protein rich diet

Up till now evidence is lacking regarding the regional distribution of indoles, like tryptophan (TRP), serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) as well as tyrosine (TYR) in the brains of Mongolian gerbils. Therefore using a microdissection technique and pooling regional brain samples, it can be shown that there is a regional distribution of 5-HT and 5-HIAA in the brain of Mongloian gerbils which is highest in the raphe + reticular formation system followed by the rest of the brainstem and lenticular nuclei. A longterm fast (22 hours) increases TRP and 5-HIAA but not 5-HT, indicating an increase in the turnover rate of 5-HT. Brain TYR and TRP are only slightly increased after a protein rich diet, whereas 5-HT and 5-HIAA are not changed. Artificial nutrition with amino acid mixtures highly concentrated with branched chain amino acids lead to a decrease of TYR and TRP as well as 5-HT and 5-HIAA. Competing amino acid as well as inhibition of 5-HT synthesis is suggested to be responsible for these effects. Mongolian gerbils show higher brain values of TRP and lower ones of TYR in comparison with other species of mice. In peripheral organs, specially in the liver and lung, similar effects are observable. However, the changes are only mild in comparison to that observed in the brain. Moreover, TYR and TRP are significantly increased in peripheral organs after a protein rich diet.

Ischemic brain edema following middle cerebral artery occlusion in baboons: relationship between regional cerebral water content and blood flow at 1 to 2 hours

The relationship between increase in water content in ischemic brain and levels of regional blood flow has been studied in 11 primates. Flows were recorded using the method of hydrogen (2-minute) clearance, from a total of 128 electrodes in cortex and white matter, and a gradation of ischemia was produced by middle cerebral occlusion transorbitally. The flows were reduced in the area of densest ischemia from control levels of 12.0 +/- 12.0 ml/100g/min to 7.0 +/- 5.4 ml/100g/min, with lesser decreases over the remainder of the ischemic hemisphere. Water content was measured in cortex and white matter, in regions topographically related to those of flow measurements, by densitometric assessment using precalibrated kerosene/bromobenzine columns. The average water content of cortex in regions remote from ischemia was 797.4 +/- 5.8 mg/gm and in white matter 708.5 +/- 8.2 mg/gm. Significant increases in water content (comparing corresponding regions of the two hemispheres) of up to 11.4 +/- 7.5 mg/gm were demonstrated in the most ischemic cortical areas. A gradient of water increase was evident in the ischemic hemisphere, increases water content being greatest in the opercular zone and least in the parasagittal area. Significant differences in white matter water content between the 2 hemispheres were demonstrated only in the most densely ischemic areas in the current experiments where ischemia was limited to 93 +/- 20 mins in the 11 animals without reperfusion. The relationship between ischemic density and water content increase showed that significant increases in water content occurred in regions where terminal flows had been below 20 ml/100g/min, indicating that accumulation of water in ischemic brain begins at flow values comparable to those associated with the failure of synaptic transmission, higher than those associated with failure of the ionic pump of the cell. Possible pathophysiological mechanisms are discussed.

Brain monoamines in human cerebral infarcts. A preliminary study

Dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), and 5-hydroxyindole acetic aced (5-HIAA) were assayed spectrofluorometrically in various brain regions of 8 human patients who died after acute and old cerebral infarction. In both recent and older infarct a total depletion of DA and 5-HT was associated with slight reduction of DA and 5-HT levels in remote nonischemic areas and various nuclei of both the injured and contralateral hemispheres. 5-HIAA was significantly reduced in acute ischemic necrosis, while the perifocal edema zone showed considerable accumulation of both 5-HT and 5-HIAA. The degradation zone surrounding old infarcts showed a mild decrease of both 5-HT and 5-HIAA, indicating normalization of K-HT metabolism and turnover after decrease of cerebral edema. These preliminary data which confirm previous findings in experimental cerebral ischemia and infarct indicate that disorders of brain monoamine metabolism are contributing to the development of postischemic brain damage and the complicating cerebral edema.

Experimental cerebral ischemia in mongolian gerbils. I. Light microscopic observations

Light microscopic observations were carried out on Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) subjected to a partial cerebral ischemia by occlusion of the left common carotid artery at the neck. About 30% of gerbils developed an ischemic injury in the ipsilateral hemisphere and their brains revealed the following histopathologic features: 1. the changes were related to the intensity (duration) of the ischemic insult and to the time elapsed following release of the occlusion. The ischemic lesions appear to progress after re-establishment of the circulation and this presents one facet of a "maturation" phenomenon which seems to be a general principle applicable to various parameters of ischemic injury. The rate of "maturation" of the lesions is related to the intensity of the ischemic insult, a lesser intensity resulting in longer development of lesions. 2. The changes were either focal or diffuse in character. The former were assumed to be directly related to a vascular involvement; among the latter the topistic distribution of the hippocampal changes suggested a feature of selective vulnerability. 3. An indirect indication of neuronal recovery was surmised from observations on animals sacrificed after different periods following occlusions of the same duration. Also capable of recovery was a "reactive change" observed in the H3 neurons of the hippocampus. This change was characterized by central chromatolysis and resembled the "rimäre Reizung" of Nissl.