Thiobarbituric acid-reactive material content and enzymatic protection against peroxidative damage during the course of cryogenic rabbit brain edema.

The relationship between free radicals reactions and the cell detoxifying system was investigated during the development of brain edema following a cryogenic lesion in the rabbit cerebral cortex. The amount of TBA-reactive material present six hours after freezing was less than in the controls, then increased at 48 and 96 hours. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased 6 hours post-injury; at the same time, we observed a stimulation of catalase activity. The glutathione peroxidase activity (GSH-Px) rose 96 hours post-lesion. The decrease of TBA-reactive products could result from an elimination rate that exceeds generation.