Reduction of NaCl increases survival of mammalian spinal neurons subjected to dendrite transection injury.

Neurites were transected from spinal neurons in media with normal (125 microM) or reduced NaCl (sucrose substitution). After 12 h the normal ionic environment (conditioned medium with serum) was restored. A one-factor ANOVA comparison found a significant difference in 48 h survival (P = 0.0001). Survival was highest when NaCl was reduced 50% (74% +/- 19 vs. 22% +/- 19 in normal NaCl). Na(+)- and Cl-mediated deterioration may contribute to both gray and white matter injury in CNS trauma.