Reducing hemoglobin oxygen affinity does not increase hydroxyl radicals after acute subdural hematoma in the rat

Extensive evidence is available to show the importance of ischemia after severe human head injury. We have previously shown that pharmacologically increasing the release of oxygen in brain tissue where the local oxygen pressure is low reduces infarct size in animal models. To study the possible negative effects of this strategy, we tested the effect of an allosteric modifier of hemoglobin (RSR13) on free radical production in the rat acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) model, both under normoxic as well as under hyperoxic, normobaric conditions. When compared to baseline, induction of ASDH resulted in a significant increase (p < 0.05) in 2,3-DHBA (2,3 dihydroxybenzoic acid, produced from salicylate after attack by hydroxyl radicals) at 30 and 60 min postinduction, both for the control group (39% and 91%) as well as the RSR13-treated group (41% and 62%). The 2,5-DHBA also increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the drug-treated animals at the 30- and 60-min time points when compared to baseline (49% and 77%). At all time points, except the 30-min, the increase in 2,3-DHBA was less marked in the RSR13 animals than in the control group. Similarly, the 2,5-DHBA increase after ASDH was lower at all time points except for the 30-min time point in the RSR13-treated group. These results indicate that enhanced tissue oxygen release by the allosteric modifier of hemoglobin RSR13 does not increase hydroxyl radical production after ASDH. Clinical trials are needed to test this compound in humans after severe head injury.