Effects of norepinephrine on brain edema of rats with severe burn / 第三军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effects of norepinephrine on brain edema of rats in 24 h after severe burn.Methods A total of 48 healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into 8 groups: normal control group,1,2,5 mg/kg norepinephrine,burn group,burn with 1,2,5 mg/kg norepinephrine pretreatment groups(n=6 in each group).The rats in all burn groups were scalded into 40%TBSAⅢ degree burn.Pathological features were observed,and blood brain barrier,brain water(%) were examined in postburn 24 h.Results Pathological evidence of brain edema exhibited in the burn group and burn group with norepinephrine pretreatment,and increased permeability of blood brain barrier and brain water were observed.The burn with norepinephrine pretreatment groups were more significantly severe in comparison with simple burn groups and normal control group.Conclusion Norepinephrine may play an important role in brain edema in postburn 24 h,suggesting that stress of postburn may induce brain edema.