EFFECTS OF SODIUM DIETHYLDITHIOCARBAMATE ON ISCHEMIA-REPERFUSION-INDUCED BRAIN INJURY IN MONGOLIAN GERBIL

Brain injury in Mongolian gerbil (Merisones unguiculatus) was induced by occluding bilateral common carotid arteries for 60 min followed by reperfusion for 5 or 30 min. Oxygen free radicals in brain tissue were measured by electron spin resonance (ESR) technique, malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured by fluorescence spectrometry, and superoxide dismut ase (SOD) was measured by nitrite kit. Oxygen free radicals and MDA we re not significantly increased, but activities of T-SOD and Mn-SOD wer e decreased after 60 min of cerebral ischemia. The free radicals were increased at 5-min reperfusion, and then reduced to the level of ische mia group after 30-min reperfusion. MDA was increased remarkably after reperfusion of 30 min, whereas the activity of SOD continued to decre ase. Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DTC), iv 5-100 mg.kg(-1) 15 min be fore occlusion, decreased the production of MDA and increased the acti vities of T-SOD and Mn-SOD. The formation of oxygen free radicals was depressed by iv DTC 50 mg.kg(-1). The result suggested that the protec tive effects of DTC on ischemia-reperfusion-induced brain injury might be induced by scavenging the oxygen free radicals, increasing the Mn- SOD activity and decreasing the production of MDA.