To obtain direct evidence of oxygen radical activity in the course of cerebral ischemia under different intraischemic temperatures, we used a method based on the chemical trapping of hydroxyl radical in the form of the stable adducts 2,3- and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) following salicylate administration. Wistar rats were subjected to 20 min of global forebrain ischemia by two-vessel occlusion plus systemic hypotension (50 mm Hg). Intraischemic striatal temperature was maintained as normothermic (37 degrees C), hypothermic (30 degrees C), or hyperthermic (39 degrees C) but was held at 37 degrees C before and following ischemia. Salicylate was administered either systemically (200 mg/kg, i.p.) or by continuous infusion (5 mM) through a microdialysis probe implanted in the striatum. Striatal extracellular fluid was sampled at regular intervals before, during, and after ischemia, and levels of 2,3- and 2,5-DHBA were assayed by HPLC with electrochemical detection. Following systemic administration of salicylate, stable baseline levels of 2,3- and 2,5-DHBA were observed before ischemia. During 20 min of normothermic ischemia, a 50% reduction in mean levels of both DHBAs was documented, suggesting a baseline level of hydroxyl radical that was diminished during ischemia, presumably owing to oxygen restriction to tissue at that time. During recirculation, 2,3- and 2,5-DHBA levels increased by 2.5- and 2.8-fold, respectively. Levels of 2,3-DHBA remained elevated during 1 h of reperfusion, whereas the increase in 2,5-DHBA persisted for 2 h. The increases in 2,3- and 2,5-DHBA levels observed following hyperthermic ischemia were significantly higher (3.8- and fivefold, respectively). In contrast, no significant changes in DHBA levels were observed following hypothermic ischemia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)