Pharmacological Approach to Postischemic Brain Edema in Gerbils

Propentofylline increases the survival rate in gerbils after brain ischemia: Influence on serotonin metabolism

“…Hence, it became feasible that disturbance in the 5-HT metabolic pathway may represent one of the main factors participating in interrelated processes that affect cellular membranes and lead to the formation of edema, a most serious complication of stroke in men. Propcntofylline, given after ischemia, was shown to diminish development of brain edcma and to prevent inhibition of Na, K-ATP-ase and release of 5-HT during early phase of recirculation after transient 15-min ischemia [Mrsulja et al, 1983[Mrsulja et al, , 1984. Obviously, 5-HT metabolism (content and the activity of the related enLymes) is disturbed for a long period (up to 7 days) after only 15 min of ischemia.…”

“…Howcver, pharmacological investigations [Welch et al, 1976; 19841 strongly suggest that thc altered content of biogenic amines in ischemia, contrary to hypoxia, does not result from inhibition of synthesis, but results also from an attenuated release of monoamines. Among biogenic amines, particular attention has been lately focused on 5-HT, an amine that changes content andior metabolism not only in the ischemic, but post-ischemic brain as well [Mrsulja et al, 1980[Mrsulja et al, , 1984Spatz et al, 1986;Wroblewska et al, 1985, 19871. It is noteworthy that the changes observed after long-term brain ischemia [Lust et al, 1975;Welch et al, 19761 have not been seen following a short period of blood supply deprivation unless rccirculation has been established to the brain [CvejiC et al, 1980;Mrsulja et al, 19801. Changes in the concentrations of nionoaniine metabolites, or the ratio of the metabolite to neurotransmitter, have been widely used as an indicator of changes in thc turnovcr of the ncurotransmitter and in the activity of the system involved [Reinhard and Wurtman, 1977;Hughes et al, 1983;Kwok et al, 19851. Of great importance is also the measurement of monoainine neurotransmitters at the regional level, including areas of the brain where the different neurotransmitter pathways are located.…”

“…Pentobarbital is known to possess a sedative effect on brain metabolism. Propentofylline is a xanthine derivative, which exhibits stabilizing influence on metabolism in postischemia [Mrsulja et al, 1984;Djuricii: et al, 19841 and prevents development of ischemic edema [Mrsulja et al, 1983. The obtained results are suggestive of superior effect of propentofylline in comparison to pentobarbital on survival rate of the gerbils after brain ischemia.…”