Dexamethasone decreases neurological sequelae and caspase activity.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of dexamethasone in a model of meningitis-induced brain injury. Changes in neurobehavioral performance were the primary outcome variables. Changes in caspase activation and markers of neuronal injury were the secondary outcome variables.


METHODS
Randomized, prospective animal study.


METHODS
University research laboratory.


METHODS
Male Wistar rats.


METHODS
Animals underwent a basilar cistern injection of either placebo or a suspension of Group B Streptococcus. Sixteen hours after inoculation, animals were randomized and received either dexamethasone or placebo in addition to antibiotics. Neurobehavioral performance and biological markers of brain injury were assessed at 3 days and 9 days after randomization. In a second experiment, caspase 1 and 3 were evaluated at 6 h, 24 h, and 72 h after dexamethasone administration.


RESULTS
Neurobehavioral performance at 3 days and 9 days was significantly improved in the dexamethasone group. Serum C-tau and cerebral edema were decreased after 3 days of dexamethasone treatment. Dexamethasone decreased Caspase 3 activation in meningitic animals.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings demonstrate that dexamethasone decreases acute brain injury in a rat model of bacterial meningitis as measured by preservation of neurobehavioral performance.
Irazuzta
Jose
J
Division of Critical Care Medicine, The Floating Hospital for Children, 750 Washington Street, NEMC#093, Boston, MA 02111, USA. JIrazuzta@Tufts-NEMC.org
Pretzlaff
Robert K
RK
DeCourten-Myers
Gabrielle
G
Zemlan
Frank
F
Zingarelli
Basilia
B
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000382:microbiology; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000201:enzymology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone; D020169:Caspases