Copper-zinc superoxide dismutase and isolectin B-4 binding are markers for associative and transhemispheric diaschisis induced by focal ischemia in rat cortex

Copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) belongs to a class of enzymes, identified as essential and highly effective endogenous scavengers of cytotoxic oxygen radicals. These radicals contribute to postlesional neurotoxicity. In order to determine the superoxide-scavenging potential of regions affected by unilateral cortical photothrombosis, we studied the changes in the distribution of Cu/Zn-SOD and the appearance of activated microglia by immunohistochemistry and isolectin Bq binding. Four hours postlesion, Cu/Zn-SOD increased significantly within a homotopic area of the contralateral hemisphere and in ipsilateral thalamic nuclei, whereas isolectin Bs-positive microglia were upregulated at days 5 and 7 postlesion within the same regions. The contralateral increase in the amount of the superoxide-scavenging Cu/Zn-SOD indicates that this enzyme is induced by a retrograde reaction carried through callosal connections. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.