The effect of 18ß-glycyrrhetinic acid on cerebral vasospazm in experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage

Cerebral vasospasm following SAH is the most important complication which effects mortality and morbidity of patients with intracranial aneurysm. In spite of conducted researchs, the etiopathogenesis of cerebral spasm is not understood exactly and there is not an effective therapy method yet. There are a lot of theories about the formation of vasospasm. One of the most widely accepted theory is that, oxyhemoglobin with Fe++ enhances lipid peroxidation and catalyzes the formation of oxygen free radicals. This process results in endothelial damage and leads to increased intracellular Ca+2 and this results in vasoconstriction. We investigated the effect of 18b-glycyrrhetinic acid on vasospasm which is an antioxidant. Rats were divided into four groups (each n=7): Group 1, control group having no spasm; Group 2, SAH group; Group 3, treatment group with 50 mg/kg i.p after SAH. Group 4 treatment group with 100mg/kg i.p after SAH. The experimental SAH was induced by injection of autologous blood into the cisterna magna.Group 3 GA 50 mg/kg, and 100 mg of GA Group 4 \ kg was administered intraperitoneally in 0 - 12 and 24 hours . TBARS,GSH, CAT, SOD, GPx levels were quantified in the serum before the rats had been sacrificed. The rats were sacrificed 48 hours after SAH. After large craniectomy performed brain, cerebellum, and brain stems were removed globally. And , then the basilar arteries of all animals photographs were taken of these sections were obtained. İn these sections basilar artery lumen cross-sectional basiler artery areas and wall thickness were measured. The results of morphometrical and histopathological findings showed that 18b-glycyrrhetinic acid has a therapeutical effect on the cerebral vasospasm after SAH.