Digoxin antibody prevents cerebral hemorrhage-induced hypertension

Abstract Background Brain injury may induce hypertension. Because serum ouabain-like compound (OLC) has vasoconstrictor activity, digoxin antibody antihypertensive effects were evaluated using an intracerebroventricular (ICV) hemorrhage rat model. Methods Four ICV infused Wistar rat groups were studied: control; blood; blood plus digoxin antibody, and cerebrospinal fluid-like solution. Tail-cuff blood pressure, cumulative sodium balance, and serum OLC were measured. Results The ICV blood infusion increased blood pressure (BP) and OLC without sodium balance change. Digoxin antibody prevented BP and OLC rise. Blood pressure was positively correlated with OLC in blood and blood plus digoxin antibody rats (R = 0.63; P< .05). Conclusions Cerebral hemorrhage increased OLC and BP, which were reversed by digoxin antibody administration.