Inhibitory effect of deuterium oxide on cerebral vasospasm after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in a rabbit model

Abstract

Object: We wished to determine the inhibitory effect of deuterium oxide (D2O) on cerebral vasospasm (CVS) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).Methods and results: An established rabbit single-hemorrhage was used. Thirty-five rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: non-treatment, sham control, lower-D2O, and higher-D2O treatment groups. Angiography was performed before (day 0) and after (day 2) SAH and the CVS ratio was calculated by comparing the diameter of the basilar artery (BA) on day 2 with that on day 0. After death, blood clot volume was assessed and the BA was dissected from the brain for histological examination. The CVS ratio in D2O-treatment groups was significantly higher in comparison with that in non-treatment and sham control groups (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, the volume of blood clot around the BA was reduced significantly in D2O-treatment groups, compared with those in both the non-treatment and the sham control groups (p < 0.05). Histological examination showed that the BA represented less folding of the internal elastic lumina in D2O-treatment groups, while a corrugation of the intima with the thickened vessel wall was seen in both the non-treatment and sham control groups.Conclusion: Therapeutic administration of D2O into the cisterna magna exhibited an inhibitory effect on CVS after SAH in rabbits.