Antioxidant, OPC-14117, attenuates edema formation and behavioral deficits following cortical contusion in rats.

Abstract

Oxygen free radicals may contribute to tissue injury processes in the central nervous system following ischemia or trauma. Recent studies have suggested that inhibition of free radicals improves the outcome in experimental models involving such conditions, and antioxidant therapy appears promising. In the present study, behavioral changes and edema formation in rat cortical contusion model were investigated, and the effects of a superoxide radical scavenger, OPC-14117, were tested. Wistar rats were anesthetized with halothane inhalation. Cortical contusion was induced in the parietal cortex employing a controlled cortical impact device. Immediately following injury induction, OPC-14117 was administered (300 mg/kg, p.o.). Edema formation was assessed in the center and peripheral areas of the contusion by the specific gravity method. Behavioral changes were evaluated by the Morris water maze test and the habituation of exploratory activity. The results revealed that the vehicle-administered control showed progressive edema formation and behavioral deficits following the injury. These changes were significantly attenuated by the OPC-14117 treatment (p < 0.05). Further, OPC-14117 reduced the size of contusional necrosis (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that superoxide free radicals are involved in contusion-induced edema formation, necrosis formation, and behavioral deficits, and that OPC-14117 has a therapeutic potential to prevent secondary cell damage following traumatic brain injury.

• Authors: T Kawamata, Y Katayama, T Maeda, T Mori, N Aoyama, T Kikuchi, Y Uwahodo
• Journal: Acta neurochirurgica. Supplement (Acta Neurochir Suppl) Vol. 70 Pg. 191-3 ( 1997) ISSN: 0065-1419 [Print] Austria
• PMID: 9416319 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Free Radical Scavengers
• Indans
• Piperazines
• Reactive Oxygen Species
• OPC 14117

Topics

• Animals
• Antioxidants (therapeutic use)
• Behavior, Animal (drug effects)
• Brain Concussion (drug therapy, pathology)
• Brain Edema (drug therapy, pathology)
• Exploratory Behavior (drug effects)
• Free Radical Scavengers (therapeutic use)
• Indans (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Maze Learning (drug effects)
• Piperazines (therapeutic use)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Reactive Oxygen Species (metabolism)