Abstract
Objects Cerebral vasospasm is an important event that occurs following subarachnoid hemorage which has significant mortality and morbidity. The goal in this study was to investigate the effect of pentoxifylline on vasospasm in an experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage model. Methods In this study, 20 male New Zeland White rabbits weighing 3000–3500 g were assigned randomly to four groups. Animals in group 1 served as controls. Animals in group two received only intravenous pentoxifylline injection 3 times in 12 h intervals. In group 3, SAH was induced and no injection was given. Animals in group 4 received intravenous pentoxifylline (6 mg/kg) injections 3 times at 12th, 24th and 36th hours after subarachnoid hemorrhage induction. All animals were sacrificed and basilar arteries were removed at 48th hour. Basilar artery vessel diameters, wall thicknesses and luminal section areas were measured with Spot for Windows version 4.1. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and Kruskall–Wallis tests. Results Mean basilar artery luminal section areas and luminal diameters in group 4 were significantly higher compared to group 3 (p < 0.05). Basilar artery wall thicknesses and were found to be higher in group 3 than in other groups and this was also statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion Our study demonstrated that intravenous administration of pentoxifylline significantly decreases vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Highlights
Cerebral vasospasm is a cascade of pathological events which involves slow but prominent narrowing of large cerebral arteries and cerebral ischemia or infarction [1]
Our study demonstrated that intravenous administration of pentoxifylline significantly decreases vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage
A subarachnoid blood clot over the basal surface of the brain stem was noted in animals that were subjected to experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)
Summary
Cerebral vasospasm is a cascade of pathological events which involves slow but prominent narrowing of large cerebral arteries and cerebral ischemia or infarction [1]. Following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), cerebral vasospasm begins as a result of inflammatory response during first 48 hours, it is rarely detected angiographically in the first 3 days [2]. It is mostly documented between 5th and 14th days of subarachnoid hemorrhage and resolves gradually between 2nd and 4th weeks [3, 4]. Pentoxifylline (PTX), a derivative of metylxanthine, is a potent nonselective inhibitor of phosphodiesterases (PDE). It has immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties at low dosages. While classically used for peripheral artery diseases and obstructive pulmonary diseases for its modulatory effects on smooth muscle relaxation, it was shown to be effective against ischemic injury of brain and intestine as well as some other disorders due to its anti-inflammatory effects [6,7,8]
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