Biochimica et biophysica acta
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Biochim. Biophys. Acta · Jan 2010
ReviewMitochondria, oxidative metabolism and cell death in stroke.
Stroke most commonly results from occlusion of a major artery in the brain and typically leads to the death of all cells within the affected tissue. Mitochondria are centrally involved in the development of this tissue injury due to modifications of their major role in supplying ATP and to changes in their properties that can contribute to the development of apoptotic and necrotic cell death. In animal models of stroke, the limited availability of glucose and oxygen directly impairs oxidative metabolism in severely ischemic regions of the affected tissue and leads to rapid changes in ATP and other energy-related metabolites. ⋯ A secondary deterioration of mitochondrial function subsequently develops that may contribute to progression to cell loss. Mitochondrial release of multiple apoptogenic proteins has been identified in ischemic and post-ischemic brain, mostly in neurons. Pharmacological interventions and genetic modifications in rodent models strongly implicate caspase-dependent and caspase-independent apoptosis and the mitochondrial permeability transition as important contributors to tissue damage, particularly when induced by short periods of temporary focal ischemia.