DNA damage consistent with apoptosis in transient focal ischaemic neocortex

Authors:
  • IHIrene E. Hill
    Irene E. Hill
  • ZHZ-Gao Huang
    Z-Gao Huang
  • IRIngrid Rasquinha
    Ingrid Rasquinha
  • DXDong Xue
    Dong Xue
  • ABAlastair M. Buchan
    Alastair M. Buchan
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Abstract
Transient focal ischaemia was produced in rat right neocortex by temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion. DNA damage was visualized in situ in cells of this right hemisphere but not in the contralateral hemisphere. The extracted damaged DNA exhibited laddered fragmentation which is indicative of apoptotic degradation. The amount of DNA damage was quantified by an end-labelling technique and shown to increase with the duration of the ischaemic insult. We conclude that the neurodegeneration resulting from focal ischaemia has an apoptotic component.