Inhibitory effect of deuterium oxide on cerebral vasospasm after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage in a rabbit model.
OBJECTIVE
We wished to determine the inhibitory effect of deuterium oxide (D(2)O) on cerebral vasospasm (CVS) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).


RESULTS
An established rabbit single-hemorrhage was used. Thirty-five rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: non-treatment, sham control, lower-D(2)O, and higher-D(2)O treatment groups. Angiography was performed before (day 0) and after (day 2) SAH and the CVS ratio was calculated by comparing the diameter of the basilar artery (BA) on day 2 with that on day 0. After death, blood clot volume was assessed and the BA was dissected from the brain for histological examination. The CVS ratio in D(2)O-treatment groups was significantly higher in comparison with that in non-treatment and sham control groups (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, the volume of blood clot around the BA was reduced significantly in D(2)O-treatment groups, compared with those in both the non-treatment and the sham control groups (p < 0.05). Histological examination showed that the BA represented less folding of the internal elastic lumina in D(2)O-treatment groups, while a corrugation of the intima with the thickened vessel wall was seen in both the non-treatment and sham control groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Therapeutic administration of D(2)O into the cisterna magna exhibited an inhibitory effect on CVS after SAH in rabbits.
Kaneko
Akira
A
Department of Neurosurgery, Shimane University School of Medicine, Izumo, Japan. nogeka@med.shimane-u.ac.jp
Moritake
Kouzo
K
Kimura
Yoriyoshi
Y
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D017666:Deuterium Oxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D011817:Rabbits; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020301:Vasospasm, Intracranial / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D017666:Deuterium Oxide