The impact of induced subarachnoid hemorrhage on vasospasm in the presence of obesity in a rat model

Aim: The development of cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. However, the pathophysiology of the development of cerebral vasospasm is quite complex. The complex nature of this process and its associated risk factors has not been fully understood yet. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between obesity and the cerebral vasospasm Materials and Methods: In this study, a total of 6 groups of subjects were identified (3 control groups and 3 study groups). Each group contains 10 rats, making a total of 60 rats in the study. Groups 1 and 2 consist of rats with normal body weight, groups 3 and 4 consist of obese rats, and groups 5 and 6 consist of rats that returned to normal body weight after obesity. Among these groups, 1, 3, and 5 represent the control groups, while 2, 4, and 6 represent the study groups. In these defined study groups, an experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) model was developed, and then the degree of vasospasm that developed in the basilar artery structure was investigated under a light microscope, comparing it with the control groups. Results: When G2 was compared to G1, G4 to G3, and G6 to G5, it was demonstrated that there was a significant reduction in the diameter of the basilar arteries in all of them (p=0.001, p <0.001, and p <0.001, respectively), indicating the occurrence of vasospasm. When the control groups, G1, G3, and G5, were compared with each other, no significant difference was found in the basilar artery diameter (p=0.580). However, when the study groups were compared among themselves, a significant difference was observed (p=0.002), and the basilar artery diameter was significantly smaller in G4 compared to G2 and in G4 compared to G6 (p=0.003 and p=0.024, respectively). When G2 and G6 groups were compared, no significant difference was found in the basilar artery diameter (p=1.000). Conclusion: The degree of vasospasm occurring after SAH may be associated with obesity, and in cases where obesity accompanies it, the cerebral vasospasm can worsen. Therefore, in cases where obesity is present and elective surgery is planned, the goal may be to plan vascular interventions after achieving weight control. This is significant as it is the first study to investigate the relationship between obesity and cerebral vasospasm.