THE POTENTIAL OF 21-AMINOSTEROIDS (LAZAROIDS) AS NEUROPROTECTIVE THERAPIES IN CNS INJURY

Following injury to the CNS, highly reactive free radicals may produce secondary or delayed tissue damage via peroxidation of lipids in cell ular membranes. This extensive generation of free radicals appears to overwhelm natural defence mechanisms, dramatically reducing the levels of endogenous antioxidant compounds. In numerous studies utilising mo dels of CNS injury, treatment with a synthetic antioxidant, the nongrl ucocorticoid 21-aminosteroid (lazaroid) tirilazad, has been shown to m aintain the level of endogenous antioxidants, improve neurological out come, decrease cell loss, reduce cerebral oedema formation and improve survival. As a result of these encouraging results, clinical trials h ave been initiated to evaluate the utility of tirilazad in the treatme nt of subarachnoid haemorrhage, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain in jury and stroke.