Ischemic rat brains were prepared by decapitation followed by incubation in an artificial cerebrospinal fluid at various times at 37 degrees C, and the levels of phospholipids, free fatty acids, and enzymes involved in their metabolism were studied. Activities of phospholipase A, phospholipase C, and di- and monoglyceride lipase, assayed with optimal concentrations of Ca2+ and lysophospholipase, did not significantly change by 60 min of ischemia, whereas acylation enzymes of lysophospholipid decreased in activity to an extent of 70% of control at 15 min after the ischemic treatment. The maximal activities were found at 8 x 10(-3)M, 1 x 10(-3) M, and 2 x 10(-2) M Ca2+ for phospholipase A, phospholipase C, and di- and monoglyceride lipases, respectively in microsomal fractions of both control and ischemic brain. Furthermore, the sensitivity of microsomal enzymes to endogenous Ca2+ was estimated in control and ischemic brain. The sensitivity of phospholipase C was found to be increased after 1 min of ischemic treatment, but those of phospholipase A and di- and monoglyceride lipase were not increased.

Thirty and 60-min ischemic insults resulted in an increase in free fatty acid and 1,2-diacylglycerol contents of rat forebrain. No significant changes were detected in phospholipids except phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate during ischemic insult. Phosphatidylinositol 4-monohosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate contents decreased during ischemia. Although the increase in free fatty acid contents continued, 1,2-diacylglycerol did not show further increase after 30-min ischemia. These results suggest that there may be another pathway for the accumulation of free fatty acids in addition to phospholipase C coupled to di-and monoacylglycerol lipase.Free fatty acid and 1,2-diacylglycerol contents increased transiently and thereafter decreased to control levels within 90 min after postischemic recirculation. The decrease in arachidonic acid content preceded those of other FFA. Phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate contents gradually increased after the initiation of recirculation in ischemic brains. Lysophosphatidylcholine decreased gradually after temporary increase during 15 and 5-min recirculations in 30 and 60-min ischemic groups. Phospholipase A, phospholipase C, and di-and monoacylglycerol lipase activities did not show significant changes during

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