OXYPURINOL INHIBITS FREE-RADICAL RELEASE FROM THE CEREBRAL-CORTEX OF CLOSED-HEAD INJURED RATS

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of mortality and m orbidity. Although the sequence of events underlying the resultant neu ronal loss is still poorly understood, there are indications that oxyg en-free radical generation is critically involved. Free radical genera tion in the cerebral cortex of closed head injury rats was monitored b y measuring free radical release into cortical superfusates containing the spin trap agent 4-pyridyl-1-oxide-N-tert-butylnitrone (POBN, 100 mM). ESR analysis of the superfusates revealed six line spectra (alpha (N) = 15.4 G and alpha(H)beta = 2.5 G) characteristic of POBN-OH adduc ts. Administration of oxypurinol (40 mg/kg) 15 min prior to TBI preven ted the formation of these radical adducts.