Cerebral superoxide anion generation during seizures in newborn pigs.
Cerebral superoxide anion generation during bicuculline-induced seizures was measured in newborn pigs. Using two closed cranial windows inserted over the parietal cortices, superoxide dismutase (SOD)-inhibitable nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction was determined during 20 min of seizure activity induced by bicuculline, 5 mg/kg i.v. A modest increase in SOD-inhibitable NBT reduction was observed in piglets subjected to bicuculline-induced seizure activity (2.4 +/- 0.6 pmol/mm2 in 20 min) when compared to control piglets (0.4 +/- 0.3 pmol/mm2 in 20 min). Pretreatment with indomethacin (5 mg/kg i.v.) reduced SOD-inhibitable NBT reduction during seizures to the control level (0.5 +/- 0.4 pmol/mm2 in 20 min). We conclude that small quantities of superoxide anion radical are produced by newborn pig brain during bicuculline-induced seizures and that cyclooxygenase metabolism of arachidonic acid appears to be a major source.
Armstead
W M
WM
Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee, Memphis 38163.
Mirro
R
R
Leffler
C W
CW
Busija
D W
DW
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001640:Bicuculline; D009580:Nitroblue Tetrazolium / Q000378:metabolism*; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013552:Swine; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts / Q000378:metabolism*
D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D009580:Nitroblue Tetrazolium; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D001640:Bicuculline