Hypertonic saline administration attenuates spinal cord injury

Background: This manuscript describes the results of three studies designed to test the hypothesis that the intravenous administration of hypertonic saline could help to preserve spinal cord function after injury. Methods: A static compression model was used to injure rat spinal cords. Somatosensory evoked potentials and spinal cord blood flow changes were monitored in the acute studies. The first study compared the effects of administration of hypertonic saline with isotonic saline solutions. The second study evaluated the effect of hypertonic saline administration at 5, 15, and 60 minutes after injury. A chronic injury model was evaluated in the third study. Spontaneous voiding, neurologic function, and evidence of histologic changes were evaluated. Results and Conclusions: The administration of hypertonic saline after spinal cord injury increased blood flow and helped preserve spinal cord function in the acute models. The rate of recovery with the chronic model was significantly faster in hypertonic saline treated animals.