Does the brain become heavier or lighter after trauma? The long story of brain water content and its direct or indirect measurement

2005 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 1009-1011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nino Stocchetti
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 001-008
Author(s):  
Ting Liu ◽  
Xing-Zhi Liao ◽  
Mai-Tao Zhou

Abstract Background Brain edema is one of the major causes of fatality and disability associated with injury and neurosurgical procedures. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of ulinastatin (UTI), a protease inhibitor, on astrocytes in a rat model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methodology A rat model of TBI was established. Animals were randomly divided into 2 groups – one group was treated with normal saline and the second group was treated with UTI (50,000 U/kg). The brain water content and permeability of the blood–brain barrier were assessed in the two groups along with a sham group (no TBI). Expression of the glial fibrillary acidic protein, endthelin-1 (ET-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) were measured by immunohistochemistry and western blot. Effect of UTI on ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways was measured by western blot. Results UTI significantly decreased the brain water content and extravasation of the Evans blue dye. This attenuation was associated with decreased activation of the astrocytes and ET-1. UTI treatment decreased ERK and Akt activation and inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory VEGF and MMP-9. Conclusion UTI can alleviate brain edema resulting from TBI by inhibiting astrocyte activation and ET-1 production.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomoyuki Iwai ◽  
Shin Nakayama

Introduction: Cerebral edema following cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CA/CPR) is associated with unfavorable neurologic outcome. The Na + -K + -2Cl - water cotransporter NKCC1 is suspected to be a critical mediator of edema formation after ischemia. It is reported that β1 adrenoreceptor antagonists protect neurons following brain ischemia in rodents. β1 adrenoreceptor antagonists inhibit the Na + -K + -ATPase, which can inhibit driving force of NKCC1 that theoretically reduces cerebral edema following ischemia-reperfusion injury. In this study, we examined whether landiolol, a selective β1 adrenoreceptor antagonist, attenuates cerebral edema following CA/CPR. Methods: Isoflurane-anesthetized adult male mice (C57BL/6J, 25-30g) were randomized into landiolol group or control group. After 7-min CA followed by CPR, landiolol (0.5ml, 830μg/ml) was administered by continuous infusion intravenously for 4 hours. Animals in control group were given normal saline (0.5ml) in the same manner. Twenty-four hours after CA/CPR, the brain was removed to assess brain water content using wet-to-dry method. The primary outcome was measurement of the brain water content. Heart rate and arterial blood pressure were recorded. Measured parameters were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with post hoc Tukey-Kramer test using SPSS® statistics 25. Differences were considered statistically significant at a P value < 0.05. Results: Brain water contents was increased in control group mice after CA/CPR (n=10) compared with those in sham operated mice (n=5) (79.5±0.85% vs 78.3±0.14%, P=0.003). Compared with control group, landiolol treatment significantly reduced brain water content in mice subjected to CA/CPR (n=12) (78.9±0.51% vs 79.5±0.85%, P=0.04). Conclusion: Landiolol attenuated brain edema following CA/CPR. These results may suggest selective β1-blocker could be alternative treatment for neuroprotection in patients who suffered CA/CPR.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-81
Author(s):  
Chen Peng ◽  
Shibo Duan ◽  
Lou Gang

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of Danhong injection on the serum concentration of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B (NF-κB) in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and evaluate its therapeutic effects on inflammation and cerebral edema.MethodsSixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, model and Danhong groups with 25 rats in each group. Intracerebral injection of autologous arterial blood was performed on model and Danhong groups in order to establish intracerebral hemorrhage model. Rats in the control group were given the same operation procedure without blood injection. After successfully establishing the intracerebral hemorrhage model, the rats were given Danhong (2ml/kg/d) through intraperitoneal injection. Rats in the control and model groups were given the same amount of normal saline respectively. The brain water content (BWC) and serum level of TNF-α, IL-6 and NF-κB were measured in all groups at the time points of day 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9.ResultsThe neurological deficit score (NDS) were not statistical different in days 1, 3 and 5 between the model and Danhong group (P>0.05); However, on day 7 and 9 after modeling, the NDS in the Danhong group was significant lower than that of the Model group (P<0.05). The brain water content in the model and Danhong groups were significantly elevated compared to control group (P<0.05). The brain water content was significant elevated after modeling in the model and Danhong groups on day 3 and gradually decreased over the next 6 days.The brain water content was significantly higher in the model group for days 3 to 9 compared to the Danhong group (P<0.05). Compared to the model group, the serum NF-κb was significantly lower in the Danhong group for the time point of day 3 and 5 (P<0.05); However, compared to the model group, the serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels in the Danhong group were significantly lower for each time point (P<0.05). Conclusion Danhong injection can reduce cerebral edema in rats with cerebral hemorrhage, and protect the brain nerve function. These effects may be related to its function of regulating serum TNF-α, NF-κB and IL-6 expression.


1986 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred Nath ◽  
Sam Galbraith

✓ The authors have studied the effect of a low-dose (0.28 gm/kg) bolus infusion of mannitol on brain water in man. In eight patients with severe head injury, small pieces of subcortical white matter were taken at craniotomy both before and after infusion of mannitol. The tissue specific gravity was measured using a graduated specific-gravity column, and from it the brain water content was calculated. White matter specific gravity rose from a mean (± standard error of the mean) of 1.0325 ± 0.0012 before mannitol infusion to 1.0352 ± 0.0011 after mannitol administration, and the brain water content fell from a mean of 80.94% ± 2.5% to 75.28% ± 2.3%. The differences were significant (p < 0.01). This study shows that, after head injury in man, mannitol increases the white matter specific gravity and probably does so by reducing brain water.


Neurosurgery ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 454-457
Author(s):  
Ernesto G. Tiznado ◽  
Hector E. James ◽  
Susan Moore

Abstract Experimental brain lesions were created over the left parietooccipital cortex of the albino rabbit through the intact dura mater with high radiating carbon dioxide laser energy (40-W impact, 0.5-second duration, for a total time of 4 seconds on a 12.5-mm surface). The brain water content was studied 2, 6, and 24 hours after the insult. Another two groups of animals received acute therapy with either dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) or furosemide (1 mg/kg). In all groups, Evans blue extravasation uniformly extended from the impact crater into the surrounding white matter. The brain water content in the gray matter was elevated from the control value by 2 hours after impact (P &lt; 0.005) and remained elevated at 6 and 24 hours. The white matter brain water content did not increase until 6 hours after impact and remained elevated in the 24-hour group (P &lt; 0.005). After dexamethasone treatment, there was a significant decrease of water in the gray matter (P &lt; 0.01), but not in the white matter. With furosemide therapy, there was no reduction of gray or white matter brain water.


2013 ◽  
pp. S75-S80 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. KOZLER ◽  
V. RILJAK ◽  
J. POKORNÝ

Our previous experiments revealed that water intoxication and osmotic BBB disruption in the rat allow penetration of high-molecular substances into the brain and that resulting changes in the internal environment of the CNS lead to pathological development, such as the loss of integrity of myelin. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the previously described phenomena are associated with increased water content in the brain. To answer the question following methods were used: a) water intoxication: intraperitoneal administration of distilled water, b) osmotic BBB disruption: application of mannitol (20 %) selectively into the internal carotid artery, c) brain wet weight was measured after decapitation, and subsequently (after six days in thermostat set at 86 °C) the dry weight were estimated d) in animals with 20 % and 30 % hyperhydration the degree of myelin deterioration was estimated e) animal locomotor activity was tested by continuous behavior tracking and analysis. Brain water content after water intoxication and following the administration of mannitol was higher than in the control group. Different degrees of hyperhydration led to different levels of brain water content and to different degrees of myelin impairment. Hyperhydration corresponding to 20 % of the body weight brought about lower locomotor activity. Increased water content in the brain after the BBB osmotic disruption is surprising because this method is frequently used in the clinical practice.


2013 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 353-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saleh Zahedi Asl ◽  
Mohammad Khaksari ◽  
Ali Siahposht Khachki ◽  
Nader Shahrokhi ◽  
Shahla Nourizade

Object Although there is evidence that estradiol has neuroprotective effects after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in female rats, it is unclear which estrogen receptor (ER) subtype, ERα or ERβ, mediates this effect. The authors therefore examined the roles of the different ERs in this effect. Here the authors used the ERα selective agonist propyl pyrazole triol (PPT) and the ERβ selective agonist diarylpropionitrile (DPN) alone and in combination in female rats to investigate this question. Methods Before the ovariectomized animals were injured using the Marmarou TBI technique, they were randomly divided into the following 9 groups: control, sham, TBI, vehicle, E1 (physiological dose of 17-β estradiol), E2 (pharmacological dose of 17-β estradiol), PPT, DPN, and PPT+DPN. Levels of blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption (5 hours) and water content (24 hours) were evaluated after TBI. In groups receiving drugs or vehicle, treatment was administered as a single dose intraperitoneally 30 minutes after induction of TBI. Results Results showed that brain edema or brain water content after TBI was lower (p < 0.001) in the E2, PPT, DPN, and PPT+DPN groups than it was in the vehicle group. After trauma, the Evans blue dye content or BBB permeability was significantly higher in the TBI and vehicle groups (p < 0.001) than in the E2, PPT, DPN, and PPT+DPN groups. The inhibitory effects of PPT+DPN on brain water content, neurological scores, and Evans blue dye content were the highest for all groups. Although both PPT and DPN increased neurological scores after TBI, PPT appears to be more effective in increasing neurological scores. Conclusions Neuroprotective effects of estradiol on brain edema, BBB permeability, and neurological scores are mediated through both ERα and ERβ. This may suggest a therapeutic potential in the brain trauma for ER-specific agonists.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuan Chen ◽  
Yue Zhou ◽  
Shanshan Wang ◽  
Wei Wang

Abstract Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating subtype of stroke with high disability/mortality. Baicalein has strong anti-inflammatory activity. This study aims to explore the mechanism of baicalein on brain injury after ICH. The model of brain injury after ICH was established by collagenase induction, followed by the evaluation of neurological severity, brain water content, the degenerated neurons, neuronal apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ICH model was treated with baicalein and silencing NLRP3 to detect brain injury. The expression of NLRP3 inflammasome was detected after treatment with ROS scavenger. The expression of oxidative stress markers and inflammatory factors were detected, and the levels of components in NLRP3 inflammasome were detected. Baicalein reduced the damage of nervous system, lesion surface, brain water content and apoptosis. Baicalein inhibited malondialdehyde and increased IL-10 by inhibiting ROS in brain tissue after ICH. Baicalein inhibited the high expression of NLRP3 inflammasome in ICH. ROS scavenger inhibited the NLRP3 inflammatory response by inhibiting ROS levels. Silencing NLRP3 alleviated the brain injury after ICH by inhibiting excessive oxidative stress and inflammatory factors. Overall, baicalein alleviated the brain injury after ICH by inhibiting ROS and NLRP3 inflammasome.


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