Oxidative stress induced in rat brain by a combination of 3-nitropropionic acid and global ischemia.

In our investigation, we describe the complex model of brain oxidative stress consisted of combination of experimental brain ischemia and energy metabolism violation induced by irreversible inhibitor of mitochondrial succi-nate dehydrogenase, 3-nitropropionate (3-NPA). 3-NPA causes selective degeneration of striatum neurons, which is extremely sensitive to energy deficit. This complex model allows revealing not only biochemical but also neurological symptoms in experimental animals that permits proper estimation of protective effect of different drugs on animal status. Combination of global ischemia induced by 3-vessel occlusion of major arteries supplys rat brain and subsequent 5-day reperfusion with intraperitoneal injection of 3-nitropropionic acid induces vigorous oxidative stress in brain tissues accompanied by evident neurological symptoms in Wistar rats. Such a combination of damaging factors may be considered as a new complex experimental model of brain oxidative stress permitting the evaluation of neuroprotective effect of potential therapeutic agents. Using this model, protective effect of neuropeptide carnosine was demonstrated which is in agreement with previous data.