Is postischaemic water accumulation related to delayed postischaemic hypoperfusion in rat brain?

The effect of reversible cerebral ischaemia on brain oedema development was studied with a gravimetric method. Cerebral blood flow changes after ischaemia were correlated with alterations in brain specific gravity. Forebrain ischaemia (15 min) was induced in rats by reversible bilateral ligation of both carotid arteries plus induction of controlled hypotension to 50 mm Hg. The specific gravity of different brain structures was determined in a Percoll column up to 24 h after ischaemia. In addition, regional cerebral blood flow was measured by 14C-iodoantipyrine autoradiography. Cerebral ischaemia resulted in reduction of cerebral blood flow to less than 1% of normal in cortical structures and the caudatoputamen. One hour after the end of ischaemia blood flows were still reduced to 30-50% of the control level indicative of delayed postischaemic hypoperfusion. Specific gravity in cortex and hypothalamus reached a maximal decrease 10 min after the end of the ischaemia, and was still significantly reduced at 1 h, while it was normal again 6 hrs later. Regression analysis between regional cerebral blood flows and the corresponding specific gravities were made at various time points, but no significant correlations could be established. Other mechanisms, like vasoconstriction, rheologic or metabolic factors may be causative for the delayed postischaemic hypoperfusion.