Elsevier

Brain Research

Volume 750, Issues 1–2, 7 March 1997, Pages 325-328
Brain Research

Short communication
Brain injury after hypoxia-ischemia in newborn rats: relationship to extracellular levels of excitatory amino acids and cysteine

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-8993(97)00024-3Get rights and content

Abstract

The aim of this study was to follow extracellular concentrations of excitatory amino acids (EAAs) and cysteine during neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI) and reflow and to relate these events to the extent of brain damage evaluated 6 h after the insult. Rat pups (PND 7–10) were subjected to unilateral ligation of the common carotid artery and exposed to hypoxia (7.7% O2). Extracellular amino acids were sampled during HI and for 6 h of reperfusion with microdialysis and the levels were correlated with the extent of brain damage at the site of probe placement. The concentrations of glutamate, aspartate and cysteine increased transiently during HI (15×, 6× and 3×, respectively) in the extracellular space and returned to normal or remained slightly elevated during reperfusion. Changes of EAAs and cysteine were similar during HI in the infarcted, undamaged and border-zone regions. During reperfusion the concentrations of glutamate, aspartate and cysteine were higher in infarcted and border-zone areas compared to undamaged tissue. In neonatal rats, the extracellular levels of EAAs during HI do not correspond to the extent of brain injury whereas the EAA concentrations during reflow are related to the extent of infarction.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Mrs. Anita Palm for her expert help with liquid chromatographic analysis. This work was supported by Swedish Medical Research Council (9455), Swedish Society for Medical Research, The Royal Society of Arts and Sciences in Gothenburg, Sven Jerring foundation, Åke Wiberg foundation, Åhlén foundation, Linnéa and Josef Carlsson Foundation, Magnus Bergwall foundation, Frimurare Barnhus foundation, The Göteborg Medical Society, Medical Faculty of Göteborg, First May

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