BACKGROUND
Enoxaparin (ENX) has been shown to reduce cerebral edema and improve
neurologic recovery after traumatic brain injury (TBI), through blunting of
cerebral leukocyte (LEU) recruitment. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)
protein may induce inflammation through LEU activation. We hypothesized that
ENX after TBI reduces LEU-mediated edema through blockade of HMGB1
signaling.
METHODS
Twenty-three CD1 mice underwent severe TBI by controlled cortical
impact and were randomized to one of four groups receiving either monoclonal
antibody against HMGB1 (MAb) or isotype (Iso) and either ENX (1 mg/kg) or
normal saline (NS): NS + Iso (n = 5), NS + MAb (n = 6), ENX + Iso (n = 6),
ENX + MAb (n = 6). ENX or NS was administered 2, 8, 14, 23 and 32 hours
after TBI. MAb or Iso (25 μg) was administered 2 hours after TBI. At
48 hours, cerebral intravital microscopy served to visualize live LEU
interacting with endothelium and microvascular fluorescein
isothiocyanate–albumin leakage. The Neurological Severity Score (NSS)
graded neurologic recovery; wet-to-dry ratios determined cerebral/lung
edema. Analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction was used for
statistical analyses.
RESULTS
ENX and MAb similarly reduced in vivo pial LEU rolling without
demonstrating additive effect. In vivo albumin leakage was greatest in
vehicle-treated animals but decreased by 25% with either MAb or ENX but by
50% when both were combined. Controlled cortical impact–induced
cerebral wet-to-dry ratios were reduced by MAb or ENX without additive
effect. Postinjury lung water was reduced by ENX but not by MAb. Neurologic
recovery at 24 hours and 48 hours was similarly improved with ENX, MAb, or
both treatments combined.
CONCLUSION
Mirroring ENX, HMGB1 signaling blockade reduces LEU recruitment,
cerebrovascular permeability, and cerebral edema following TBI. ENX further
reduced lung edema indicating a multifaceted effect beyond HMGB1 blockade.
Further study is needed to determine how ENX may play a role in blunting
HMGB1 signaling in brain injury patients.