Steroid treatment of brain edema.
Experimental brain edema due to extradural compression was studied in rats, and the beneficial effect of a steroid, betamethasone, on this was tested. Immediately following extradural compression, betamethasone therapy was begun by intraperitoneal injection. Three groups of animals received eight divided doses of betamethasone over 48 hours: total doses were 64 mg, 6.4 mg, and 0.64 mg/kg, respectively. Two other groups received doses at zero and 24 hours only, with total doses of 64 mg and 6.4 mg/kg. Water and sodium content of the brain were reduced depending upon dosage. Administration every 6 hours was superior to every 24 hours. Potassium content was not consistently altered. After injection of radioactive steroid, a significant increase in uptake of the drug was observed in the edematous brain.
D000818:Animals; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism
D014867:Water; D001623:Betamethasone; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium