The relationship between cerebral ischemic edema and monoamines: revisited

The association of changes in the metabolic pathway of monoamines (dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine) with mitochondrial enzymatic systems which are involved in the production and removal of free radicals formed during dopamine metabolism and formation of edema was investigated in bilateral brain ischemia in gerbils. The results suggest that the involvement of DA-derived free radicals in brain edema is unlikely in early reflow, because disbalance between H2O2-producing reactions of DA-metabolism, and mitochondrial antioxidative capacity does not occur prior to 1 hour reflow after 15 min bilateral ischemia in gerbils. However, the findings of this study reinforce the participation of 5-HT in the formation of ischemic brain edema.