The effect of tetramethylpyrazine on tumor necrosis factor-α, thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin in cerebrospinal fluid of rabbits with bacterial meningitis

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of tetramethylpyrazine in treating bacterial meningitis. Experimental model of rabbit meningitis was induced by intracisternal inoculation of 2 x 107 colony-forming units of Escherichia Coli and tumor necrosis factor-α, thromboxane B2 and 6-keto-prostagladin F1α concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid of rabbits in different treatment groups were measured at 24 hrs, 27 hrs and 30 hrs after infection. Results showed that tetramethylpyrazine could significantly lower the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α and thromboxane B2 in cerebrospinal fluid. Administration of both tetramethylpyrazine and ampicillin could attenuate the antibiotic-induced rapid release of the 2 inflammatory mediators.