Hyperglycemia increases superoxide production in the CA1 pyramidal neurons after global cerebral ischemia.

Abstract

Transient global cerebral ischemia results in selective neuronal death in the vulnerable hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in a delayed manner. Hyperglycemia accelerates and exacerbates neuronal damage in this region. The object of this study was to determine whether hyperglycemia-enhanced damage is associated with increased production of superoxide anion after ischemia. The results showed that hyperglycemic ischemia caused a significant increase of superoxide production in the hippocampal CA1 neurons compared to normoglycemic animals after 18 h of recirculation, suggesting that enhanced superoxide anion production may mediate the hyperglycemia-accelerated and -enhanced neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 area after ischemia and reperfusion.