Are blood platelets involved in the pathogenesis of ischemic brain edema in gerbils?

Edema formation following severe permanent or temporary cerebral ischemia in gerbils with an artificially reduced platelet count was investigated. Acute focal cerebral ischemia was produced by extracranial carotid ligation, and the local cerebral blood flow was estimated using the hydrogen clearance method. Brain tissue water and sodium and potassium contents were taken as indexes of brain edema. The platelet count was reduced in some gerbils by intravenous injection of neuraminidase. After 60 minutes of ischemia, a marked increase in tissue water and sodium contents accompanied by a decrease in potassium content was observed in untreated gerbils. However, gerbils with a reduced platelet count revealed similar but significantly smaller changes in all the measured parameters. Restoration of blood flow after 60 minutes of ischemia resulted in further accumulation of water and sodium and in depletion of potassium in both groups. These changes were significantly smaller in the gerbils with a reduced platelet count. It is concluded that platelets, activated by cerebral ischemia, may be involved in the development of ischemic brain edema in gerbils.