.Neuroprotection induced by Preconditioning with Prolonged and Intermittent Normobaric Hyperoxia Induce Catalase Activity in the rat stroke model

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) is an endogenous phenomenon that can induce ischemic tolerance (IT) in variety of organs such as brain. In this study, we examined the intermittent and prolonged dose of normobaric hyperoxia (HO) on neurologic deficit scores, infarct volume, and catalase activity. The rats were divided to four main groups. First two main groups were exposed with HO in prolonged (24h PrHO) and intermittent (4h×6days InHO) groups and second two main group acted as controls, and were exposed to 21% oxygen in the same chamber (room air, RA) continuously (24h PrRA) and discontinuously (4h×6days InRA). Each group subdivided to three subgroups. After 24 h, first subgroup were subjected to 60 minutes MCAO followed by 24h of reperfusion. Then, IT induced by InHO and PrHO were measured by neurologic deficit scores and infarct volume. Second and third subgroups were called sham-operated and intact subgroups for assessment of the effect of HO on catalase activity. Our findings indicate that InHO and PrHO are involved in the induction of IT. Pretreatment with InHO and PrHO reduced neurologic deficit scores and infarct volume significantly. InHO and PrHO increase catalase activity significantly. The catalase activity of prolonged HO groups significantly was more than that of intermittent HO groups. Although further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms of ischemic tolerance, InHO and PrHO seem to partly exert their effects via increase catalase activity.