DEXAMETHASONE AND COLCHICINE REDUCE INFLAMMATION AND DELAYED EDEMA FOLLOWING EXPERIMENTAL BRAIN CONTUSION

The effect of anti-inflammatory treatment on monocyte/macrophage infil tration, major histocompatibility complex molecules (MHC) class II exp ression and delayed oedema following experimental brain contusion was studied by immunohistochemistry and tissue-specific gravity measuremen t in 44 rats. Colchicine, chloroquine and dexamethasone administered o nce daily for five days after the trauma reduced inflammation and oede ma. The difference was statistically significant with colchicine and d examethasone. The findings comprise further evidence of a pathogenetic ally important inflammation after experimental contusion. It is probab le that anti-inflammatory agents may prevent secondary neurological da mage due to elevated intracranial pressure and cell to cell- or cytoki ne-mediated neuronal degeneration and demyelination.