Protective effect of steroids in electrolyte-induced demyelination

Electrolyte-induced demyelination (EID), an experimental model for cen-tral pontine myelinolysis was produced in rats by inducing hyponatremia followed by hypernatremia. There was a marked reduction in the number and size of lesions developing in animals that were bled repeatedly by tail transection during induction of the disease. Subsequently a similar protective effect was produced in animals by injecting a single dose of dexamethasone, one hour before the induction of hyper-natremia. These findings suggest that steroids may be useful in preventing central pontine myelinolysis from developing in high risk patients requiring urgent correction of hyponatremia.