Protective effect of dexamethasone on delayed neuron death following hypoxia and ischemia

Objective To investigate the possible mechanisms of the neuroprotective effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on neonatal rats following cerebral hypoxia ischemia. Methods The apoptosis at ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere was analyzed by hematoxylin eosin staining and ISEL in these five groups of neonatal rats with hypoxia ischemia, pretreatment with DEX prior to hypoxia ischemia, treatment with DEX immediately following HI, pretreatment with DEX prior to sham and normal controls, respectively. Results Pretreatment with DEX could markedly reduce brain cells apoptosis while treatment with DEX immediately following HI had no effect in the study. Conclusion The neuroprotective effect of DEX given before HI may be induced through inhibition of apoptosis.(Shanghai Med J, 2000, 23∶81 83)