INCREASE IN SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE AFTER CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT

Superoxide dismutase (SOD), neuron specific enolase (NSE) and lactic d ehydrogenase (LDH) were measured in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of ischemic cerebrovascular patients, other neurological patient s and in age-matched healthy controls (serum only). The levels of SOD in the CSF or serum of the ischemic patients in the first 24 hrs after stroke were similar to the control groups. However, SOD levels in the ischemic patients increased after two days, reaching their peak value s after one week (2-3 fold of the initial values). NSE showed a simila r kinetics while LDH showed no change. These results suggest that oxyg en radicals are formed in the ischemic patients and the increased synt hesis of SOD may protect the patients from the potential damage of suc h radicals.