Dexamethasone effect on blood-brain barrier damage caused by acute hypertension in x-irradiated rabbits

Unilateral X-ray exposure of brain increases the vulnerability of cerebral vessels to acute hypertension in the brain hemisphere exposed to radiation. A preventive effect of dexamethasone was observed when treatment with the drug was started before irradiation; but also when the drug was given 24 h before acute hypertension was induced, 1 week after irradiation.