Brain Eicosanoid Formation following Acute Penetration Injury as Studied by in vivo Microdialysis

Formation of eicosanoids has been implicated in the pathological changes that follow brain injuries. In the present study, we used a microdialysis probe to both induce acute penetration injury and also sample extracellular fluid concentrations of eicosanoids. Formation of prostaglandin (PG) D₂, PGF_2a, and thromboxane B₂ was highest in the first hour following introduction of the probe into rat striatum. In contrast, the level of PGE₂ was highest during the sixth hour of collection, while 6-keto-PGF_1a remained stable throughout the sampling period. We conclude that in vivo microdialysis may be useful in the evaluation of the time course of the effects of acute penetration injury of the brain on the local production of eicosanoids.