The effects of bolus methylprednisolone in prevention of brain edema in hypoxic ischemic brain injury: An experimental study in 7-day-old rat pups

One of the major mechanisms responsible for tissue in hypoxic ischemic brain damage is the formation of free radicals. We studied the efficacy of methylprednisolone, which is claimed to cause rapid congealing of membranes, and to protect the cells against the free radicals present in the environment, in preventing the brain edema that occurs in hypoxic ischemic brain injury. The water content in the right hemisphere was significantly lower in the 19 methylprednisolone-treated pups than it was in 20 saline-treated pups. Neuropathological study was performed on 4 rat pups. Two of them received methylprednisolone and two of them saline prior to the initiation of the hypoxic insult as described. Histopathologically, changes in the right hemispheres of the saline group that were attributable to the late effects of hypoxia were either absent or present to a minor degree in the methylprednisolone group. Our study suggests that trial of methylprednisolone might be effective if it is given to the mother at risk for fetal hypoxia during labor or to the hypoxic infant after delivery in preventing hypoxic brain damage.