Improvement of energy state and basic modifications of neuropathological damage in rabbits as a result of graded postischemic spinal cord reoxygenation.

The role of graded postischemic reoxygenation applied at the end of 20 min of spinal cord ischemia was studied with respect to the intraspinal pO2 tension, energy state, and histopathological sequelae. Graded postischemic reoxygenation can induce a positive shift in the intraspinal pO2 tension, but normal postischemic reoxygenation with normotensive pO2 blood tension inevitably causes the postischemic intraspinal pO2 overshoot. Graded postischemic reoxygenation significantly improves the energy state expressed by higher adenosine triphosphate (ATP), phosphocreatine (PCr) and glucose levels. Using the Nauta impregnating degenerating method, clear histopathological differences were found in the L3-S3 segments after 20 min of ischemia. Apparently divergent damage was observed when normal reoxygenation or graded postischemic reoxygenation was used. Diametrically different histopathological outcomes were obtained with normal reoxygenation and graded postischemic reoxygenation 2 and 4 days postoperatively.