IRON DEPLETION OR CHELATION REDUCES ISCHEMIA REPERFUSION-INDUCED EDEMA IN GERBIL BRAINS

Since hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can react with ferrous iron (Fe++) to form the more toxic hydroxyl radical (OH) in vitro, and since H2O2 is generated by brain xanthine oxidase (XO) during ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), we hypothesized that gerbils depleted of iron by dietary restriction or treated with iron chelators would be less susceptible to I/R injury. We found that gerbils fed a low iron diet for 8 weeks had decreased brain and serum iron levels, less neurologic deficits, and decreased brain edema after temporary unilateral carotid ligation (ischemia) and then reperfusion than gerbils fed a control standard iron diet. In addition, brains from gerbils treated with iron-free deferoxamine (an iron chelator), but not iron-loaded deferoxamine, had decreased (P < .05) brain edema following ischemia and reperfusion. The results indicate that iron may contribute to cerebral ischemia/reperfusion damage. © 1990.