The effect of human corticotrophin releasing factor on the formation of post-traumatic cerebral edema

Controlled cortical impact is a well validated model of cortical contusion which is known to produce cerebral edema. Corticotrophin Releasing Factor (CRF) is a hypothalamic neuropeptide, which is known to inhibit transendothelial leakage of plasma derived fluid and tissue edema in response to injury. The aim of this study was to determine cerebral edema after controlled cortical impact and then compare the effect of high and low doses of CRF. We evaluated the effect of CRF in rats divided into groups of sham, trauma alone, and trauma treated with CRF at 50 micrograms/kg and 100 micrograms/kg. Animals were sacrificed at 24 hours and water content was determined. We found that CRF was effective in reducing cerebral edema associated with cortical contusion and propose that the action of CRF obviated barrier leakage.