Turkish Neurosurgery 2013 , Vol 23 , Num 2
Combined Treatment with Progesterone and Magnesium Sulfate Positively Affects Traumatic Brain Injury in Immature Rats
Nazan UYSAL1, Basak BAYKARA2, Muge KIRAY1, Ferihan CETIN1, Ilkay AKSU1, Ayfer DAYI1, Tugba GURPINAR3, Durgul OZDEMIR4, M. Nuri ARDA5
1Dokuz Eylul University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Izmir, Turkey
2Dokuz Eylul University, High School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Izmir, Turkey
3Celal Bayar University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Manisa, Turkey
4Dokuz Eylul University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Izmir, Turkey
5Dokuz Eylul University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Izmir, Turkey
DOI : 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.5582-11.1 AIM: It is well known that head trauma results in damage in hippocampal and cortical areas of the brain and impairs cognitive functions. The aim of this study is to explore the neuroprotective effect of combination therapy with magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) and progesterone in the 7-days-old rat pups subjected to contusion injury.

MATERIAL and METHODS: Progesterone (8 mg/kg) and MgSO4 (150 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally immediately after induction of traumatic brain injury. Half of groups were evaluated 24 hours later, the remaining animals 3 weeks after trauma or sham surgery. Anxiety levels were assessed with open field activity and elevated plus maze; learning and memory performance were evaluated with Morris Water maze in postnatal 27 days.

RESULTS: Combined therapy with progesterone and magnesium sulfate significantly attenuated trauma-induced neuronal death, increased brain VEGF levels and improved spatial memory deficits that appear later in life. Brain VEGF levels were higher in rats that received combined therapy compared to rats that received either medication alone. Moreover, rats that received combined therapy had reduced hipocampus and prefrontal cortex apoptosis in the acute period.

CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that combination of drugs with different mechanisms of action may be preferred in the treatment of head trauma. Keywords : Traumatic brain injury, Immature rat, Spatial learning and memory, Apoptosis, VEGF, Magnesium sulfate, Progesterone

Corresponding author : Nazan Uysal, nazan.uysal@deu.edu.tr