The Effect of Methylprednisolone on the Changes of Mitochondria and Lipid Peroxidation in the Acute Focal Ischemic Cerebral Edema

It is the purpose of this study to evaluate the therapeutic effect of methylprednisolone(M.P) in the acute phase of focal cerebral ischemic stroke. Acute focal cerebral ischemia was produced by transorbital occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) with Heifetz clip under the operating microscope. The Experimental animals were divided into 3 groups. The occlusion group was that the acute focal ischemia was induced for 4-hour of the occlusion of the MCA only. The circulation group was that of 2-hour recirculation after acute focal ischemia. The treatment group was that of M.P. (15mg/kg) injection at 30minutes after dcclusion initially and at 90 minute interval. The sham control group was the cats with removal of the orbital contents without occlusion of MCA. Cytochrome oxidase activity(COA) and the lipid peroxidation LP were concentration determined. The results obtained were as the following. In the occlusion group, COA was reduced to 60.6% and LP increased to 167.0% of the sham control value, in the recirculation group COA reduced to 63.5%. LP increased to 140.6% of the sham control value. In the treatment group, COA was increased to 154.9% and LP decreased to 88.7% of the sham control value. Ultrastructures of the mitochondria were studied by electron microscopy in all group. In comparison with the other experimental groups the shapes and numbers of the mitochondrial cristae and the whole mitochondria were preserved well relatively. The above results indicate that MP has beneficial effect in the management of the acute focal ischemia in the cat model of 4-hour occlusion of MCA with 2-hour recirculation.