Effect of mild hypothermia on energy metabolism and hydroxyl radical production after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in gerbils

AIM: To study the effect of mild hypothermia on energy metabolism and hydroxyl radical production as well as delayed neuronal death (DND) in hippocampus during cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in gerbils.METHODS: Forebrain ischemia was induced by occluding bilateral common carotid arteries with aneurysm clamps for 10 min in gerbils. The DND in hippocampal CA1 sector was assessed by histological examination, and hydroxyl radical, ATP (adenosine triphosphate), ADP (adenosine diphosphate),AMP (adenosine monophosphate) levels were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical or ultraviolet detection. RESULTS: The number of survival neuronal in hippocampal CA1 sector in mild hypothermia + I/R group was more than that in I/R group after ischemia/reperfusion 96 h. The content of 2,3-DHBA (2,3- dihydroxybenzoic acid) in hippocampus in I/R group was much higher than those in sham operation and mild hypothermia + I/R group after reperfusion 6 h (P＜0.01), but there were no significant differences in 2,3-DHBA outputs among 3 groups 48 h and 96 h after reperfusion. There were no obvious differences in ATP, ADP, AMP level in hippocampus among 3 groups 6 h after reperfusion. However, the content of ATP,ADP,AMP in mild hypothermia + I/R group was much higher than those in I/R group 48 and 96 h after reperfusion (P＜0.01).CONCLUSION: Mild hypothermia can reduced DND by improving the cerebral energy metabolism during forebrain ischemia/reperfusion in gerbils.