Immunohistochemical localization of prostaglandin (PG) F
2α synthesized during recirculation following experimental forebrain ischemia was studied in Mongolian gerbils. The bilateral carotid arteries were clamped for 5 minutes, and the brains were frozen
in situ after 5 minutes of recirculation. Shamoperated gerbils not subjected to arterial occlusion served as controls. Cryostat sections containing dorsal hippocampus 10μm in thickness were incubated in rabbit anti-PGF
2α serum and stained with avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex after fixation in carbodi-imide and Zamboni's solution. In specimens from control animals, blood vessels were faintly stained with anti-PGF
2α serum, while neurons and glial cells were less intensely stained or unstained. Specimens from reperfused gerbils demonstrated strongly positive staining for PGF
2α in blood vessels, neurons (especially hippocampal pyramidal neurons), and glial cells. Staining for PGF
2α in the reperfused animals was substantially diminished by pretreatment with indomethacin (10 mg/kg, i.p.). The results indicate that recirculation after forebrain ischemia results in an increase in PGF
2α in neurons, glial cells, and blood vessels.
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