Spermine protects in vivo the antioxidant enzymes in transiently hypoperfused rat brain.

The antioxidant enzymatic system in brain hypoperfusion/reperfusion model in rats after spermine administration was evaluated. Incomplete cerebral ischemia/reperfusion induced by temporal occlusion of common carotid arteries caused a decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase as well as total and free sulfhydryl groups, while thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances became elevated. Administration of spermine after the reperfusion led to restoring all above parameters to normal values. Protective effect of spermine in transiently hypoperfused and subsequently reperfused rat brain is briefly discussed.