EFFECT OF ASCORBIC-ACID ON INFARCT SIZE IN EXPERIMENTAL FOCAL CEREBRAL-ISCHEMIA AND REPERFUSION IN A PRIMATE MODEL

Temporary occlusion of major cerebral blood vessels occasionally becom es necessary during surgical procedures. Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is an important non-enzymatic scavenger of free radicals and its protecti ve effect on the brain in permanent focal cerebral ischaemia has been proven in a primate model of focal cerebral ischaemia [16]. Additional damage caused by reperfusion of the infarcted area has been shown in the rat model [22]. This study was undertaken to study the efficacy of ascorbic acid in decreasing infarct size in ischaemic reperfused brai n. Maccaca radiata monkeys in the treated group were given two grams o f ascorbic acid, parentally immediately before clipping the middle cer ebral artery and the control group was given placebo. Reperfusion was done after four hours. Mean infarct size in all the three brain slices in the ascorbic acid pretreated group was 7.3% +/- 2.7 and in the pla cebo group 22.1 +/- 6.7 under similar conditions. The mean infarct siz e in the ascorbic acid pretreated group of monkeys was significantly l ower when compared with the placebo group (p = 0.0003).