Cytochrome c oxidase in patients with acute ischaemic brain disease

Summary: The aim of this study was to examine temporal dynamics of cerebrospinal fluid and erythrocyte haemolysate activity of cytochrome c oxidase in acute period of ischaemic brain disease. The study included 85 patients of both sexes, mean age 65 " 8 years. Control group consisted of 15 patients with radicular lesions of discal origin, subjected to diagnostic radiculography, without signs of interruption in the passage of cerebrospinal fluid. Results showed that during the first seven days of ischaemic brain disease significant decrease in cytochrome c oxidase activity in cerebrospinal fluid occurred. The decrease was highest during the first two days compared to control group (1.22 " 0.358 cyt c/mL). Significant increase in cytochrome c oxidase activity was established in erythrocyte haemolysate. The increase was the highest in brain infarction, somewhat lower in reversible ischaemic attack, and the lowest in transient ischaemic attack compared to controls. We concluded that cytochrome c oxidase activity in the cerebrospinal fluid and erythrocyte haemolysate of patients with acute ischaemic brain disease could be an indicator of metabolic dysfunction and neuronal cell damage.