Monoamines and related enzymes in cerebral cortex and basal ganglia following transient ischemia in gerbils

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Abstract
The post-ischemic effects on cerebral cortex and basal ganglia monoamine levels and monoamine oxidase (MAO A and B) and catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) activities were evaluated in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) subjected to bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion for 15 min and reflow for 7 days. Disorders of monoamine metabolism was found in ischemic brain which persisted during the long-term post-ischemia. A rebound increase of norepinephrine and serotonin appeared in early stages (up to 1 h) of post-ischemia both in cerebral cortex and basal ganglia; a rebound increase of dopamine was found only in cerebral cortex. Thereafter, the serotonin level was enhanced over the control level during the whole post-ischemic period whereas the levels of catecholamines were reduced particularly in basal ganglia. With respect to monoamine content and activities of monoamine degraded enzymes an oscillatory behavior was observed in post-ischemia. Disorder of the monoamine metabolism found during post-ischemic period possibly contributes to neurological dysfunction after an ischemic insult.