Liposome-entrapped superoxide dismutase ameliorates infarct volume in focal cerebral ischaemia.
We studied the role of superoxide radicals in the pathogenesis of focal ischaemic brain injury using liposome-entrapped copper-zinc-superoxide dismutase which can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and cell membranes efficiently. Superoxide dismutase activities were significantly elevated in the blood and in the normal brain tissue 1, 2, 8, and 24 hours after a bolus intravenous administration of liposome-entrapped copper-zinc-superoxide dismutase. Copper-zinc-superoxide dismutase activities were also increased significantly in the ischaemic hemisphere and the contralateral cortex as well. The infarct sizes were reduced by 33%, 24% and 18%, respectively, for the anterior artery area, middle artery area, and posterior artery area by treatment at 24 hours following the injection of liposome-entrapped superoxide dismutase. These data demonstrate that superoxide radicals are important determinants of the size of an infarct following focal cerebral ischaemia, and that liposome-entrapped copper-zinc-superoxide dismutase may have pharmacological value for focal cerebral ischaemic injury.
Imaizumi
S
S
CNS Injury and Oedema Research Center, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, San Francisco, California.
Woolworth
V
V
Kinouchi
H
H
Chen
S F
SF
Fishman
R A
RA
Chan
P H
PH
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications*; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004337:Drug Carriers; D008081:Liposomes; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology
D004337:Drug Carriers; D008081:Liposomes; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase