Effects of dexamthasone with different doses on aquaporin-4 in brain of intracerebral hemorrhage rats

Objective:To determine the relationship between the expression of aquaporin-4(AQP4) after intracerebral hemorrhage and dexamethasone treated. Methods:Collagenase Ⅶ was injected in caudate nucleus in a stereotaxis frame to establish the intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH) animal models. The intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH) rats were randomly divided into four groups: the sham group (group A), the ICH group(group B), low dosertreated group(group C), moderate dose group(group D) and high dose group(group E). The groups were respectively received an intraperitoneal dexamethasone injection with 1 mg/kg, 15 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, twice a day for three days. The brain water content(BWC), the permeability of blood-brain barrier(BBB) and the expression of AQP4 were observed. Results:Both the BBB disruption and AQP4 expression decreased in treated groups, and the AQP4 expression had a dose-dependent manner in the dexamethasone treatment. And it seemed that low dose dexamethasone was in favor of brain swelling elimination, but the higher dosage had not similar effect. Conclusion:Dexamethesone may play a critical role on expression of AQP4 in the physiopathology of hemorrhagic edema.