ASCORBIC-ACID DURING CEREBRAL-ISCHEMIA IN NEWBORN PIGLETS

We measured ascorbic acid (reduced and oxidized) in brain, CSF and blo od, before, during and after cerebral ischemia in newborn piglets. Bil ateral carotid ligation induced a 54% decrease in cerebral blood flow (p < 0.01) and a 43% decrease in the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (p < 0.01). After ischemia and reperfusion, we obtained a 60% decreas e (p < 0.01) in total brain ascorbic acid content. CSF ascorbic acid i ncreased during reperfusion: +60% at 30 min (p < 0.001) and +160% at 1 20 min (p < 0.05). Blood ascorbic acid content did not change. These c hanges and the absence of massive oxidation of ascorbic acid in brain tissue suggest release of ascorbic acid by the brain during ischemia.