Effect of 1-(5′-oxohexyl)-3-methyl-7-propyl-xanthine (HWA 285) on triethyltin (TET)-induced brain edema in rats. I. Effect on brain wet weight and water contents.

Abstract

HWA 285 was evaluated for its effect on experimentally induced brain edema in rats. TET produced brain edema when orally given at 750 yg/kg twice a day for 9 days; it increased the brain wet weight and water contents of the grey matter and white matter. For each parameter, a higher value was obtained from the group sacrificed on day 8 after the last treatment with TET than from any other groups sacrificed on days 1, 4 and 15. At 8 days, the % increase of water contents was greater in the white matter than in the grey matter. HWA 285 was intravenously injected at 7.5 and 15 mg/kg twice a day for 7 days after the last TET treatment. The brain edema was not reduced by the low dose, but was improved by the high dose, in which the brain wet weight and water contents of the grey matter and white matter were significantly decreased. By contrast, pentoxifylline with chemical structure and pharmacological profile similar to those of HWA 285 had no significant improving effect on the brain edema.