Donna R Mendez1, Leela Cherian, Claudia S Robertson. 1. Department of Pediatrics/Emergency Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. drmendez@texaschildrenshospital.org
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) makes the brain susceptible to secondary insults such as ischemia. This study tested the hypothesis that L-arginine would increase regional CBF (rCBF) and brain tissue PO2 (PbtO2) at the injury site. METHODS: A secondary insult model was employed in rodents. rCBF was measured with laser doppler flowmetry (LDF) and PbtO2 with a PO2 catheter at the impact site. Animals were randomized to receive L-arginine, D-arginine or saline intravenously, 5 minutes after impact. RESULTS: In animals who received L-arginine, the percentage rCBF from baseline (%CBF) was higher at the impact site after impact (p < 0.001), during bilateral carotid occulation (BCO) (p = 0.001) and during reperfusion (p = 0.032). In contrast, PbtO2 was not significantly increased throughout the experiment for the L-arginine group. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of L-arginine increased rCBF in the injured brain tissue, and resulted in better preservation of CBF during BCO than D-arginine and saline.
BACKGROUND:Traumatic brain injury (TBI) makes the brain susceptible to secondary insults such as ischemia. This study tested the hypothesis that L-arginine would increase regional CBF (rCBF) and brain tissue PO2 (PbtO2) at the injury site. METHODS: A secondary insult model was employed in rodents. rCBF was measured with laser doppler flowmetry (LDF) and PbtO2 with a PO2 catheter at the impact site. Animals were randomized to receive L-arginine, D-arginine or saline intravenously, 5 minutes after impact. RESULTS: In animals who received L-arginine, the percentage rCBF from baseline (%CBF) was higher at the impact site after impact (p < 0.001), during bilateral carotid occulation (BCO) (p = 0.001) and during reperfusion (p = 0.032). In contrast, PbtO2 was not significantly increased throughout the experiment for the L-arginine group. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of L-arginine increased rCBF in the injured brain tissue, and resulted in better preservation of CBF during BCO than D-arginine and saline.