Effects of mild hypothermia on the nitric oxide and water content of brain tissue in rats with traumatic brain edema / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the effects of mild hypothermia (MH) on the nitric oxide (NO) and water content of brain tissues (WBT) in rats with traumatic brain edema (TBE). Methods Fifty-four Wistar rats were divided into a control group (group C), a normithermal traumatic group (NT group) and a mild hypothermia traumatic group (MHT group). The NT and MHT groups were then divided into 4 subgroups for study at 30 min, 2 h, 4 h and 8 h post-trauma. TBE models were established according to Yuan Shaoji′s method. The concentration of NO in the jugular vein was measured using chemical luminescence, and water in the brain tissues was calculated with Elliot′s formula. Results Compared with those in the group C, the concentrations of WBT and NO were significantly increased 30 min post-trauma in the NT group, and reached a peak 8h after trauma. These levels were markedly decreased in the MHT group in comparison with the NT group. Conclusions NO levels might play an important role in the development of TBE, and change synchronously with WBT. TBE could be mitigated by MH, which might promote early rehabilitation of TBE by reducing NO.