Effects of perfluorocarbon dodecafluoropentane (NVX-108) on cerebral microvasculature in the healthy rat

Curr Drug Discov Technol. 2014;11(3):220-6. doi: 10.2174/1570163811666140709110301.

Abstract

NVX-108, a dodecafluoropentane-based perfluorocarbon (PFC) emulsion, has therapeutic potential as an oxygen- carrying fluid for emergency medical treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and hemorrhagic shock. Potential cerebral vasoactive properties were assessed by directly measuring pial arteriolar vessel diameters before and after a 30 minute intravenous (IV) infusion of 1.0 ml/kg (high dose [H]) or 0.25 ml/kg (low dose [L]) NVX-108 compared to 2.0 ml/kg Saline (control) in healthy anesthetized rats (N = 6/group). Results showed that post-infusion vessel diameters for small (< 50 µm) and medium (50-100 µm)-sized pial arterioles were significantly (p < 0.05) narrower after only the NVX- 108 H infusion although this vasoconstriction was not statistically significant when analyzed as a percentage change in these vessels. Pial arteriolar vessel diameters were not significantly different for mean value or percentage change after either NVX-108 L or Saline infusions. There were no significant post-infusion changes from baseline in systolic, mean or diastolic blood pressures after any of the treatments although post-infusion blood pressure was statistically higher in the NVX-108 L group compared to NVX-108 H and Saline groups. Arterial blood gases, methemoglob in and lactate were not different from baseline or among groups. No adverse events were observed at either dose of NVX-108. In conclusion, neither 0.25 nor 1.0 ml/kg NVX-108 caused vasoconstriction in cerebral pial arterioles of healthy rats nor resulted in blood pressure changes; the compound should be considered for further investigation for TBI therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / drug effects*
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / physiology
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / methods
  • Fluorocarbons / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Microvessels / drug effects*
  • Microvessels / physiology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Substances

  • Fluorocarbons
  • perfluoropentane