Neuroprotective effects of progesterone in traumatic brain injury: blunted in vivo neutrophil activation at the blood-brain barrier.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Progesterone (PRO) may confer a survival advantage in traumatic brain injury (TBI) by reducing cerebral edema. We hypothesized that PRO reduces edema by blocking polymorphonuclear (PMN) interactions with endothelium (EC) in the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

Methods

CD1 mice received repeated PRO (16 mg/kg intraperitoneally) or vehicle (cyclodextrin) for 36 hours after TBI. Sham animals underwent craniotomy without TBI. The modified Neurological Severity Score graded neurologic recovery. A second craniotomy allowed in vivo observation of pial EC/PMN interactions and vascular macromolecule leakage. Wet/dry ratios assessed cerebral edema.

Results

Compared with the vehicle, PRO reduced subjective cerebral swelling (2.9 ± .1 vs 1.2 ± .1, P < .001), PMN rolling (95

SUBMITTER: Pascual JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4149185 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature