NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester protects against lipid peroxidation in the gerbil following cerebral ischaemia.

The aim of this study was to assess the role of nitric oxide (NO) in lipid peroxidation following 5 min of bilateral carotid occlusion in the Mongolian gerbil. The study consisted of 4 experimental groups (n = 10). Animals were either sham operated, subjected to bilateral carotid occlusion or administered the NO synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (10 mg/kg i.p.) 30 min, 6, 24 and 48 h following sham operation or 5 min bilateral carotid occlusion. Animals were killed 96 h post surgery and changes in the concentrations of malonaldehyde and 4 hydroxyalkenals (the main decomposition products of peroxides derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids and related esters) were measured in the hippocampus and cortex using the LPO-586 colorimetric method. The results showed a significant increase in the concentrations of both decomposition products following 5 min of bilateral carotid occlusion. L-NAME administered to sham operated controls had no effect, but in those animals subjected to 5 min of bilateral carotid occlusion L-NAME significantly decreased the levels of both decomposition products. These results suggest that inhibition of NO synthase activity decreases lipid peroxidation in the gerbil model of cerebral ischaemia.