RESUMO
BACKGROUND: After experimental cryogenic cerebral injury, severe focal brain contusion develops due to blood-brain barrier breakdown and vasogenic cerebral edema formation. This study has been conducted to find out the effects of hypertonic saline against cryogenic brain edema in rats. METHODS: Thirty rats of either sex weighing 250 to 300 g underwent a 60 seconds of cryogenic brain injury. All rats were randomly divided into one of three groups; control group (n = 10), 7.5% saline group (n = 10), and 10% mannitol group (n = 10). The water contents were measured 60 minutes after cryogenic injury by using the dry-weight method. RESULTS: The water contents in the 7.5% saline and 10% mannitol groups were significantly decreased compared with the control group. The levels of edema in the 7.5% saline and 10% mannitol groups were also significantly decreased compared with the control group. Although it appeared as if that 10% mannitol might decrease edema formation more than 7.5% saline, there were no statistical differences between the 7.5% saline and 10% mannitol groups. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertonic saline (7.5%) may be as effective agent to reduce edema formation after brain trauma to the same degree as mannitol.