Perihematomal glutamate level is associated with the blood–brain barrier disruption in a rabbit model of intracerebral hemorrhage

Objective To observe the relationship between the perihematomal glutamate levels and the blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability in a rabbit model of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods Seventy-two rabbits were randomly divided into an intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) model group and a normal control (NC) group, and each group of 36 rabbits was subsequently divided into 6, 12, 18, 24, 48 and 72 h groups (n = 6 each). An ICH model was induced by stereotactic injection of autologous, arterial, non-anticoagulated blood into rabbit basal ganglia. The same procedures were performed in the NC group, but blood was not injected. The rabbits were sacrificed at specific time points after the experiment began depending on their group. Perihematomal brain tissues were collected to determine glutamate levels, BBB permeability and brain water content (BWC). Results All of the assessed parameters were increased 6 hour after blood infusion and continued to gradually increase, peaking at 48 hours. Differences were observed when ICH values were compared with those of the NC group (p