Mechanism of the protective effect of succinic semialdehyde and its derivatives in hypoxia.

Preliminary injection of succinic semialdehyde into animals in experiments with hypoxia led to a lower concentration of free ammonia in their brain tissues than in control experiments in which the compound was not given. The enzyme system of the liver tissue catalyzes the oxidation of NAD-H-2 by succinic semialdeyde and its dervitives with a free adelhyde group.The conversion of succinic semialdeyde and its derivatives in the liver tissue leading to the formation of the oxidized form of NAD,which is deficient in hypoxia, and the prevention of accumulation of free ammonia in the brain tissue by preliminary administration of succinic semialdehyde are the possible mechanisms of the antihypoxic properties of succinic semialdehyde and its derivatives.