[Effects of nizofenone on ischemic cerebral edema in Mongolian gerbils]

The effects of nizofenone on ischemic cerebral edema in Mongolian gerbils were compared with those of pentobarbital (PBT). Water content, used as an index of cerebral edema, was calculated from the wet and dry weights of each hemisphere. In the sensitive gerbils subjected to permanent occlusion of the right common carotid artery, water content of the right hemisphere increased by about 6% at 24 hr after ischemia. In the animals treated with nizofenone (30 mg/kg i.p.) and PBT (60 mg/kg i.p.), water content was significantly lower than that of the control group at 24 hr and 1.5-24 hr after ischemia, respectively. In the sensitive gerbils subjected to temporary occlusion of the right common carotid artery for 60 min, water content of the right hemisphere increased gradually by about 5% at 72 hr after recirculation. In the animals treated with nizofenone (30 mg/kg i.p.) and PBT (60 mg/kg i.p.), water content was significantly lower than that of the control group at 24-72 hr and 1.5-72 hr after recirculation, respectively. Nizofenone became effective in lowering brain water content after 24 hr following ischemia. On the other hand, PBT was effective from an early stage of ischemic cerebral edema. Brain edema following an ischemic injury is considered to be initially of the cytotoxic type, subsequently changing into the vasogenic type. The above results suggest that nizofenone may be effective in ameliorating ischemic cerebral edema, particularly vasogenic edema, and that this may be partially related to its cerebral protective action.