Re-induction of hyponatremia after rapid overcorrection of hyponatremia reduces mortality in rats

Osmotic demyelination syndrome is a devastating neurologic disorder often seen after the rapid correction of chronic hyponatremia. The permeability of the blood–brain barrier is increased in experimental osmotic demyelination, and some have suggested that corticosteroids protect against this disorder by keeping the permeability of the blood–brain barrier low. We previously reported that re-lowering of the serum sodium after rapid correction of chronic hyponatremia was beneficial if performed early in the course (12 to 24 h). Here we compared mortality, blood–brain barrier permeability, and microglial activation in rats after the rapid correction of chronic hyponatremia. We studied three groups of rats after correction of chronic hyponatremia: and treated them with sodium chloride, with or without dexamethasone; or with sodium chloride followed by re-induction of hyponatremia. We found that treatment with dexamethasone or re-induction of hyponatremia effectively prevented the opening of the blood–brain barrier, reduced neurological manifestations, and decreased microglial activation; however, only re-induction of hyponatremia resulted in a significant decrease in mortality 5 days after the correction of chronic hyponatremia. Restoring the permeability of the blood–brain barrier to normal levels did not decrease mortality. Our results suggest that after inadvertent rapid correction of hyponatremia, treatment options should favor re-lowering serum sodium. The increased permeability of blood–brain barrier seen in osmotic demyelination syndrome may not be a primary pathophysiologic insult of this syndrome.