Effect of Succinic Acid and Chitosan Derivatives on Aconitate Hydratase Activity and Citrate Content in Rat Brain Tissues Under Ischemia/Reperfusion Conditions

Succinic-acid and chitosan derivatives administered at various dose to rats with brain ischemia/reperfusion led to a decrease in the level of lactate (an ischemia marker) in brain tissue as compared to the value in pathology. The activity of aconitate hydratase (a sensitive target of free-radical action) increased under these conditions whereas the citrate level in the brain and blood serum of the animals decreased toward the control values. The observed changes were dose-dependent. The results showed that these drugs were capable of reducing the degree of metabolic damage and the development of oxidative stress during post-ischemic reperfusion. Therefore, the investigated substances may be of considerable interest for pharmacological correction of metabolic changes during the development of such pathologies. Chitosan succinate exhibited more pronounced neuroprotective and antioxidant effects than N-succinylchitosan.