Background: LF 16-0687 Ms previously was reported to improve Neurological Severity Score (NSS) and decrease cerebral edema and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) release after closed head trauma (CHT) in rats. Here, we examined whether these beneficial effects of LF 16-0687 Ms are altered when CHT is accompanied by acute ethanol administration.
Methods: Six groups of rats (n = 8 per group) were examined during combination of the following experimental conditions: CHT versus sham operation, LF 16-0687 Ms 3 mg/kg subcutaneously versus saline, and ethanol 2 g/kg versus saline.
Results: After CHT, brain water content decreased and NSS improved with ethanol + LF 16-0687 Ms as compared with values after saline or ethanol. PGE(2) release decreased with ethanol (147 +/- 59 pg/mg tissue) but not with ethanol + LF 16-0687 Ms (286 +/- 194 pg/mg tissue).
Conclusion: Ethanol does not affect the improvement of NSS and the decrease of cerebral edema seen with LF 16-0687 Ms after CHT, but does reverse the ability of LF 16-0687 Ms to minimize the increase of PGE(2) release. In intoxicated patients, bradykinin antagonist therapy may improve post-CHT outcome without altering PGE(2) release.