DMSO-associated encephalopathy during autologous peripheral stem cell infusion: a predisposing role of preconditioning exposure to CNS-penetrating agents?

The effect of intraperitoneally administered dimethyl sulfoxide on absence-like epileptic activity of freely moving WAG/Rij rats

“…The physiological and pathophysiological effects of DMSO or the mechanisms of its side effects are not clearly understood, although it is widely used as a cryopreservative agent in stem cell transplantation (Bauwens et al, 2005;Marcacci et al, 2009). Additionally in neurosciences, DMSO is extensively used as an organic solvent to dissolve various pharmacons in both in vitro and in vivo studies (Santos et al, 2003).…”

“…Furthermore, in some of the patients experiencing DMSO-associated encephalopathy altered neuroimaging patterns were found in the thalamus (Marcacci et al, 2009). Therefore in this study, the effect of different doses of DMSO was tested in genetically absence epileptic WAG/Rij rats generating seizures of cortico-thalamic origin (Snead, 1995;Coenen and Van Luijtelaar, 2003).…”

“…Recently several cases of DMSO evoked seizures were reported (e.g., Bauwens et al, 2005;Marcacci et al, 2009). Furthermore, in some of the patients experiencing DMSO-associated encephalopathy altered neuroimaging patterns were found in the thalamus (Marcacci et al, 2009).…”

Dimethyl Sulfoxide Damages Mitochondrial Integrity and Membrane Potential in Cultured Astrocytes

“…Furthermore, there are several case reports that reveal severe neurotoxicity [14]–[18], encephalopathy [19]–[21] and transient global amnesia [22] associated with the infusion of DMSO-cryopreserved hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. These results highly suggest that DMSO has neurological side effects and toxicity.…”

The Trigeminocardiac Reflex in Interventional Neuroradiology

“…Scattered concerns have been raised regarding possible DMSO-related neurotoxicity: potential encephalopathy related to DMSO that is used for preparing hematopoietic stem cell transplants (albeit at much higher doses than in those injected with Onyx) 35 and a single report of DMSO-induced CNS apoptosis in the developing brain. 36 However, the vast majority of the reports related to clinical effects of DMSO describe positive, rather than deleterious, effects, including neuroprotective effects possibly related to N-methyl-d-aspartate-(NMDA-) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA)-receptor blockade, 37-39 decreased intracranial pressure, 40,41 and pain modulation.…”