Effects of Cobalt Nitrate on Histopathological and Morphometric Changes in Rat Femoral Artery Vasospasm Model.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of cobalt nitrate on the arterial wall in a rat femoral artery vasospasm model. STUDY DESIGN Experimental study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, between November 2009 and September 2010. METHODOLOGY Twenty-four rats were separated into three groups named group 1 (n=8, sham-control); group 2 (n=8, vasospasm), and group 3 (n=8, vasospasm + cobalt nitrate treated). Group 3 rats were subjected to intraperitoneal administration of 0.1 mg/kg/day cobalt nitrate for 7 days, followed by histological and morphometric analyses. ANOVAand post hoc analyses were carried out. RESULTS The mean vascular wall thickness of the group 1, 2 and 3 rats was found to be 133 ±13, 210 ±15 and 160 ±11 micron, respectively. The mean vascular lumen diameter of the group 1, 2 and 3 rats was 698 ±20, 240 ±15 and 540 ±22 micron, respectively. Arteries in the group 3 had thin smooth endothelium, thin mildly folded internal elastic lamina, and concentric smooth muscle cells. The mean vascular lumen diameter of the group 3 rats showed a significant decrease compared to the group 2 rats. CONCLUSION Cobalt nitrate may potentially serve as an agent in preventing cerebral vasospasm after a hemorrhagic episode.