Breathing 100% oxygen after global brain ischemia in Mongolian Gerbils results in increased lipid peroxidation and increased mortality.

Exposure of Mongolian gerbils to a 100% oxygen atmosphere after 15 minutes of global brain ischemia resulted in a marked increase in the production of pentane, an in vivo product of lipid peroxidation. Much less pentane production occurred in animals subjected to global brain ischemia then exposed to an air atmosphere and in animals exposed to a 100% oxygen atmosphere without ischemia. Gerbils placed in 100% oxygen for 3-6 hours after 15 minutes of ischemia also had a threefold increase in 14-day mortality compared with gerbils subjected to ischemia and then placed in an air atmosphere. These findings raise a serious question about the use of oxygen-enriched atmospheres during reperfusion following ischemia.