[The effects of a benzopyrone derivative in experimental brain edema due to cold in the rabbit]

On this study, parenchymal changes during a cerebral edema caused by thermic injury (cool) on the rabbit, are analyzed. The work was based on the ultrastructural findings obtained by transmission electronic microscopy and on the effects produced by a benzopironic derived (F-117 Hydrosmina). The injury was produced with solid CO2, previous a craniectomy, on the dura mater of the left hemisphere. Forty rabbits were included into the study, the animals were distributed into five groups (n = 8): a control group and 4 treatment groups. One of the groups received treatment without previous cerebral injury. The group of rabbits with doses of 50 mg/Kg of weight showed focal and diffuse areas of edema alternating with less damaged areas, the edema was evident on the white substance. This group also showed a dissociation of the myelinic fibers and an intracytoplasmatic tumefaction into the glial cells. These findings contrast with the histopathological findings obtained from the rabbits (V), the extracellular edema was poor, the myelinic fiber disorganization was minimal with no vacuolar degeneration and no structural mitochondrial changes had been showed. The discontinuance of the hematoencephalic barrier caused by the cool could be a possible mechanism that causes the opening of the endothelial unions from the capillary vessels, changing their membranes and resulting in a free penetration of the molecule into the cerebral parenchyma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)