Lipid peroxidation and oedema in experimental brain injury: comparison of treatment with methylprednisolone, tirilazad mesylate and vitamin E

Trauma-induced lipid peroxidation (LP) is one of the most important factors that produces tissue damage in head trauma. In the present study, the prot ective effects of free radical suppression with methylprednisolone (MP), ti rilazad mesylate (TM) and vitamin E on the development of cerebral LP and o edema resulting from head trauma have been investigated. Rats were divided randomly into four groups. Bolus injections of physiological saline, MP (in itial 30 mg/kg for 1 h, continuing administration of 5.4 mg/kg per hour unt il 24 h), TM (10 mg/kg), or vitamin E (30 mg/kg) were given 1 h after the h ead trauma. The animals were killed 24 h after the weight-drop injury for r emoval of the brain, and the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and water content of the brain were determined. Rats treated with TM had MDA levels which dec reased significantly in comparison with the control group (P<0.03), and non e of the drugs had an effect on LP and water content of the brain (P>0.05) that was statistically different. These findings demonstrated the beneficia l effect of TM in this model of experimental brain injury.