Content of Nitrogen Monoxide and Copper in the Hippocampus of a Rat Model of Short-Term Cerebral Ischemia Followed by Reperfusion

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is used to determine the content of nitric oxide (NO) and copper in the hippocampus of healthy rats and rats under ischemia modeling. Ischemia is modeled by both carotid artery ligation and carotid artery ligation, followed by taking 3 mL of blood from the common carotid artery. Signals from (DETC)₂-Fe²⁺-NO and Cu(DETC)₂ complexes are recorded by EPR spectroscopy. A significant decrease in NO production in the hippocampus (on average 28% per day) is found after an ischemic stroke caused by carotid artery ligation; and by 56% after carotid artery ligation followed by 3 mL of blood taken from the common carotid artery. The copper content in the hippocampus the day after ischemia caused by carotid artery ligation significantly decreases by an average of 20%; after carotid artery ligation with blood sampling, there is a tendency for the copper content to decrease; however, due to the large scatter of values, the reliability of the changes cannot be confirmed. Thus, cerebral hypoxia caused by carotid artery ligation is accompanied by a decrease in NO production in the hippocampus and signs of weakening of the antioxidant system, which further harmed the functional state of the homeostasis system.