Differential expression of neuronal fos protein after cold water drowning and controlled rewarming

Davida A. Robinson, Patrick K.H. O'Brien, Raeeda M. Gheewala, Ella M Nikulina, Douglas D. Payne, Ronald P. Hammer, Kenneth G. Warner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary bypass has often been applied to revive victims of cold water drowning. The success of resuscitative efforts in patients who have sustained severe hypothermia is largely determined by neurologic outcomes. Measurement of Fos, the protein product of the immediate-early gene c-fos, is a marker of cerebral injury. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-eight infant lambs were sedated and ventilated. Group 1 lambs were immersed in a cold water bath for 2 hours (17.3 ± 2.7°C). Group 2 lambs were placed on normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass for 2 hours (37.7° ± 0.7°C). Group 3 lambs were immersed in a cold water bath for 2 hours (17.6° ± 2.4°C), and then rewarmed for a period of 2 hours on cardiopulmonary bypass (37.0° ± 0.6°C). The lambs were euthanized and immunohistochemical analysis for neuronal Fos was performed. RESULTS: There was significant induction of Fos-labeled nuclear profiles (cells/1,130 μm2) in group 3 in the hippocampal regions and dentate gyrus compared with groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Isolated exposure to either hypothermia or cardiopulmonary bypass results in minimal expression of neuronal Fos; the significant induction of Fos in the group 3 animals may represent an ischemic-reperfusion phenomenon. Modifications of rewarming techniques that minimize Fos expression may improve neurologic outcomes in victims of cold water drowning.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)404-409
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons
Volume198
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2004
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Differential expression of neuronal fos protein after cold water drowning and controlled rewarming'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this