Neural tissue-related proteins (NSE, G₀α, 28-kDa calbindin-D, S100b and CK-BB) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid after cardiac arrest

To estimate brain damage after cardiac arrest, the concentrations of neuron specific enolase (NSE), GTP-binding protein (G₀α), 28 kDa calbindin-D, S100b protein, and creatine kinase BB (CK-BB) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were determined by enzyme immunoassays. Ten mongrel dogs were subjected to 30 min of circulatory arrest at normal body temperature and serial CSF and blood samples were taken during the first 18 h after reperfusion. The NSE concentration in CSF increased significantly after reperfusion, reaching a 15-fold increase (243 ± 107 ng/ml, p < 0.01) 18 h later, however, it did not increased significantly in serum (8.1 ± 3.3 ng/ml vs. 23.5 ± 7.0 ng/ml). G₀α concentration in CSF increased sharply between the 2nd and 4th h after reperfusion and peaked 18 h after reperfusion (428 ± 195 pg/ml, p < 0.01), however, it did not increase significantly in serum. Calbindin-D concentration in CSF increased between the 1st and 6th h after reperfusion, and reached a plateau thereafter (621 ± 235 ng/ml, a 23-fold increase, p < 0.05) and also increased significantly in serum (p < 0.05). The S100b concentration in CSF also increased dramatically after the 4th h of reperfusion and reached a plateau at the 8th h after reperfusion (16.0 ± 9.3 ng/ml, a 50-fold increase, p < 0.01), however, it in serum was below the detection threshold. The CK-BB concentration in CSF peaked 4 h after reperfusion (113 ± 69 ng/ml, a 19-fold increase, p < 0.01) and it in serum increased 4-fold (p < 0.05). The neural tissue-related proteins are thus apparently released primarily into the CSF. The CSF concentrations of these proteins are therefore specific markers for brain damage.