Content of Nitrogen Monoxide and Copper in the Hippocampus of a Rat Model of Short-Term Cerebral Ischemia Followed by Reperfusion

Abstract

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to determine the content of nitric oxide (NO) and copper in the hippocampus of healthy rats and rat models of ischemia. The rat model of ischemia was established via both carotid arteries ligation and ligation of the carotid arteries with subsequent withdrawal of a 3 ml of blood from the common carotid artery. The EPR signals of the (DETC)2-Fe2+-NO and Cu(DETC)2 complexes were recorded. The NO level in the hippocampus showed a significantly drop by an average of 28% one day after modeling ischemic stroke caused by carotid artery ligation and by 56% in the rat model of ischemia established via ligation of the carotid arteries with subsequent withdrawal of a 3 ml of blood from the common carotid artery. The copper content decreased significantly in the hippocampus by an average of 20% one day after modeling ischemia by ligation of the carotid arteries and our findings indicate that the copper content tends to decrease in the rat model of ischemia established via ligation of the carotid arteries with subsequent withdrawal of blood. High variability couldn’t tell us if there was a significant difference between groups, though. Thus, brain hypoxia of rats subjected to carotid arteries ligation is accompanied not only by a decrease in NO production in the hippocampus, but also by signs of a weakening of the antioxidant system, thus, worsening conditions for the maintenance of homeostasis.