Brain contains a highly diversified complement of molecular species of a mitochondria-specific phospholipid, cardiolipin (CL), which - due to its polyunsaturation - can readily undergo oxygenation. Here, we used global lipidomics analysis in experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI) and showed that TBI was accompanied by oxidative consumption of polyunsaturated CL and accumulation of more than 150 new oxygenated molecular species in CL. RNAi-based manipulations of CL-synthase and CL levels conferred resistance of primary rat cortical neurons to mechanical stretch - an in vitro model of traumatic neuronal injury. By applying the novel brain permeable mitochondria-targeted electron-scavenger, we prevented CL oxygenation in the brain, achieved a substantial reduction in neuronal death both in vitro and in vivo, and markedly reduced behavioral deficits and cortical lesion volume. We conclude that CL oxygenation generates neuronal death signals and that its prevention by mitochondria-targeted small molecule inhibitors represents a new target for neuro-drug discovery.

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The temporal sequence combined with the recently demonstrated role of CL hydroperoxides (CL-OOH) in in vitro models of apoptosis suggest that CL-OOH may be both a key in vivo trigger of apoptotic cell death and a therapeutic target in experimental traumatic brain injury.

Isoflurane is commonly used in experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI), both before and early after injury, yet it is rarely used clinically. Narcotics and benzodiazepines are frequently used after injury in clinical TBI. We compared seven anesthetic/sedative agents applied after injury in the controlled cortical impact model: diazepam, fentanyl, isoflurane, ketamine, morphine, pentobarbital, and propofol. Our objective was to provide insight into the relative degrees of neuroprotection provided by these agents in a standard model of TBI. We hypothesized that the choice of anesthetic/sedative early after experimental TBI critically impacts outcome and that the agents most commonly used clinically may be less neuroprotective than isoflurane. Rats treated with isoflurane had the best cognitive recovery (p < 0.05) and hippocampal neuronal survival (p < 0.05). Conversely, rats treated with ketamine had the most hippocampal neuronal death (p < 0.05). Morphine or propofol, two agents commonly used clinically, were associated with the poorest motor function on post-trauma day 1-5 (p < 0.05). Our data support beneficial effects of isoflurane early after experimental TBI. Our data suggest that the early post-TBI use of isoflurane, despite practical logistical issues, could potentially provide clinical benefits in TBI--versus other commonly used sedatives or analgesics. Furthermore, the choice of post-injury sedation and analgesia could have important implications on attempts to translate novel therapies from bench to field or bedside.

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) alterations after asphyxial cardiac arrest (CA) are not defined in developmental animal models or humans. We characterized regional and temporal changes in CBF from 5 to 150 mins after asphyxial CA of increasing duration (8.5, 9, 12 min) in postnatal day (PND) 17 rats using the noninvasive method of arterial spin-labeled magnetic resonance imaging (ASL-MRI). We also assessed blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, and evaluated the relationship between CBF and mean arterial pressure after resuscitation. After all durations of asphyxia CBF alterations were region dependent. After 8.5-and 9-min asphyxia, intense subcortical hyperemia at 5 min was followed by return of CBF to baseline values by 10 mins. After 12-min asphyxia, hyperemia was absent and hypoperfusion reached a nadir of 38% to 65% of baselines with the lowest values in the cortex. BBB was impermeable to gadoteridol 150 mins after CA. CBF in the 12-min CA group was blood pressure passive at 60 min assessed via infusion of epinephrine. ASL-MRI assessment of CBF after asphyxial CA in PND 17 rats reveals marked duration and region-specific reperfusion patterns and identifies possible new therapeutic targets.

Objective-Develop a clinically relevant model of pediatric asphyxial cardiopulmonary arrest in rats. Design-Prospective interventional study. Setting-University research laboratory.Subjects-Post-natal day (PND) 16-18 rats.Interventions-Anesthetized rats were endotracheally intubated and mechanically ventilated, and vascular catheters were inserted. Vecuronium was administered and the ventilator was disconnected from the rats for 8 min, whereupon rats were resuscitated with epinephrine, sodium bicarbonate, and chest compressions until spontaneous circulation returned. Shams underwent all procedures except asphyxia.Measurements and Main Results-Asphyxial arrest typically occurred by 1 min after the ventilator was disconnected. Return of spontaneous circulation typically occurred <30 sec after resuscitation. An isoelectric electroencephalograph was observed for 30 min after asphyxia and rats remained comatose for 12-24 h. Survival rate in rats after asphyxia was 75%. Motor function measured using beam balance and inclined plane tests was impaired on d 1 and 2, but recovered by d 3, in rats after asphyxia vs. sham injury (n=9/group; P<0.05). Spatial memory acquisition measured using the Morris-water maze on d 7-14 and 28-35 was also impaired in rats after asphyxia vs. sham injury (total latency 379±28 vs. 501±40 sec, respectfully; n=9/group; P<0.05). CA1 hippocampal neuron survival after asphyxia was 39-43% (n=9/group; P<0.001 vs. sham). DNA fragmentation was detected in CA1 hippocampal neurons bilaterally in separate rats on d 3-7 after asphyxia (n=3-4/group). Neurodegeneration detected using Fluorojade-B was seen in bilateral CA1 hippocampi and layer III cortical neurons 3-7 d after asphyxia, with persistent neurodegeneration in CA1 hippocampus detected up to 5 wks after asphyxia. Evidence of DNA or cellular injury was not detected in sham rats.

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