Effect of cerebral ischemia on redox status of plasma aminothiols

We measured the content of reduced aminothiols (cysteine, homocysteine, and glutathione) after mechanical occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in rats. During acute period of ischemia (3 h), these parameters decreased by ~10 times. In 7 days, the content of reduced aminothiols in some animals remained low, but in the others surpassed the initial levels. These results indicate significant impairment of the redox status of the circulating aminothiol pool apparently caused by oxidative stress of the peripheral vascular endothelial occurring as a response to cerebral ischemia. Thus, the total amount of homocysteine is considered a risk factor for stroke, while its reduced fraction can reflect the post stroke state.