Leukocyte involvement in cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury

Leukocytes have been postulated to contribute to cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury. The present study implies that leukocytes have a deleterious effect in the brain following ischemia. We compared the alteration of cortical electrical activity following transient, incomplete cerebral ischemia in control and leukopenic rats by monitoring somatosensory evoked potentials and electroencephalographic activity. There was complete cessation of electroencephalographic activity, and the cortical peak of the evoked potential was abolished during ischemia in the control animals. However, when the animals were rendered leukopenic, there was maintenance of electroencephalographic activity with reduced amplitude and preservation of the cortical peak of the evoked response during the ischemic period. This indicates that when the animals are made leukopenic, even under ischemic conditions, the neurophysiologic functioning is still maintained to a certain extent.