Efficacy of Oxygen-Carrying Therapeutic and Antioxidant Drug in Treatment of Cerebrovascular Complications as a Consequence of Severe Blast TBI
Abstract
Blast-induced traumatic brain injuries (bTBI) are of a significant concern among the US warfighters with a longer lasting impact on their quality of life. In spite of clinical advances that improved survivability of service members with severe head injuries, there is a lack of effective treatments that prevent delayed brain damage caused by the initial blast exposure. Our previous studies on impact head injury have shown a 50 reduction in brain tissue oxygenation and restoration of oxygenation to near pre-injury levels after treatment with an oxygen-carrying fluid (NVX-108. Thisstudy aims at utilizing NVX-108 in preventing blast-induced deficits in brain tissue oxygenation in gyrencephalic (ferrets) animal model. Utilization of an oxygen-carrying substance, NVX-108, may potentially contribute to an increase in oxidative stress. For this reason, the current study will use an antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine, NAC, in conjunction with NVX-108 to assess the efficacy of this combination treatment in preventing blast-related deficits in the brain tissue oxygenation and the associated damage to the structure and function of cerebral vasculature. In the period covered by this report, institutional and ACURO approvals were obtained for the animal use protocol, equipment was upgraded/purchased and/or calibrated for the measurement of brain tissue oxygen tension, intracranial pressure, and cerebral blood flow. Equipment was also fabricated and set up for the exposure of ferrets to blast wave. Staff was trained on surgical methods. Despite delays caused by Covid-19 pandemic significant progress was made which will enable us to carry out the work planned on this study. Details of the delays and the plans to resolve them are provided in the report.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1136218
Entities
People
- Rania Abutarboush
- Stephen T. Ahlers
- Usmah Kawoos
Organizations
- Naval Medical Research Center