Adverse biochemical and physiological effects of prostacyclin in experimental brain oedema.
BACKGROUND
Prostacyclin (PGI2) and its stable analogues are known to reduce capillary hydraulic permeability. This study explores the biochemical and physiological effects of i.v. infusion of low-dose PGI2 in an experimental model of vasogenic brain oedema.


METHODS
Twenty-seven anaesthetized and mechanically ventilated piglets with brain oedema induced by intrathecal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used. Five of the animals received a continuous infusion of PGI2 (1 ng kg(-1) min(-1)) i.v. Four microdialysis catheters were placed in the brain to measure interstitial concentrations of glucose, lactate, and glycerol. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), intracranial pressure (ICP) and temperature were monitored continuously. Low-dose infusion of PGI2 started 1 h before the LPS injection and was constant during the study period.


RESULTS
Intracranial pressure increased significantly in animals treated with PGI2. The increase in ICP was associated with significant cerebral biochemical changes: decrease in glucose, increase in lactate, increase in lactate/glucose ratio and increase in glycerol.


CONCLUSIONS
In LPS-induced brain oedema i.v. infusion of low-dose PGI2 caused a further increase in ICP and a perturbation of energy metabolism, indicating cerebral ischemia and degradation of cellular membranes.
Gärdenfors
F
F
Department of Anaesthesiology, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.
Nilsson
A
A
Ungerstedt
U
U
Nordström
C H
CH
D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D007427:Intracranial Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D017551:Microdialysis; D013046:Specific Gravity; D013552:Swine
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004768:Enterotoxins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; C027538:heat-labile enterotoxin, E coli; D011464:Epoprostenol