[Treatment of ischemic cerebral infarct with glycerine]

Ischemic brain edema promotes focal cerebral ischemia by increasing intracranial pressure and thereby reducing perfusion pressure, obstructing capillaries and prolonging transport routes within ischemic tissue. There is clinical and experimental evidence that osmotic agents counteract these mechanisms. Moreover, glycerol may act as a free radical scavenger, antioxidant, and activator of plasma prostaglandin (PGI2), resulting in vasodilation. Improvements in ischemic brain energy metabolism after glycerol administration has also been postulated. Results of clinical trials on glycerol treatment of acute ischemic stroke were not conclusive: some demonstrated improved survival in the acute stage, in others survivors benefited in terms of neurological status and/or daily living activities. Other trials did not reveal any superiority of glycerol treatment over placebo. Glycerol is given intravenously as a 10% solution or orally. By the oral route higher intravascular glycerol concentration can be achieved with smaller quantities of fluid. Possible side effects include elevation of blood glucose level with subsequent lactate acidosis in the ischemic brain, serum hyperosmolarity after long-term glycerol administration and--when given intravenously--volume overload in patients with congestive heart failure and hemolysis that may cause renal failure.