Pathogenesis of vasogenic edema in focal cerebral ischemia. Role of superoxide radicals.

Oxygen-derived free radicals have been postulated to be involved in brain edema and cell death secondary to ischemia and traumatic injury. Using a model of vasogenic brain edema produced by a permanent occlusion of the left MCA in rats, we have studied the role of superoxide radicals in pathogenesis of ischemic edema. The levels of NBF in ischemic brain were increased by 222%, 420%, and 614%, respectively, at 1, 4, and 24 hr after the MCAO.

Protective effects of liposome-entrapped superoxide dismutase on posttraumatic brain edema.

Oxygen-derived free radicals and membrane lipid peroxidation have been postulated to be involved in brain edema and cell death, secondary to ischemia and traumatic injury. Using a model of brain edema induced by cold-induced injury, we have demonstrated an early elevation of superoxide radicals followed by permeability changes in the blood-brain barrier and development of edema in injured brain. Intravenous injection of liposome-entrapped copper-zinc-superoxide dismutase 5 minutes before the injury-enhanced entry of the enzyme into endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier of injured brain reduced the brain level of superoxide radicals and ameliorated blood-brain barrier permeability changes and brain edema.

Alterations in lipid metabolism, Na+,K+-ATPase activity, and tissue water content of spinal cord following experimental traumatic injury.

Traumatic spinal cord injury has recently been shown to cause a rapid increase in free fatty acids (FFAs) and lipid degradation in cats. The present studies report a more delayed, time-dependent increase in FFAs and a concomitant decrease in phospholipids following traumatic spinal injury in rats. The largest percentage increases were found for polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly arachidonic acid.