A head injury is a very dangerous condition that threatens human life. This study examines the use of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) in reducing cerebral edema in cases of head injury. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate whether CAPE can improve various parameters related to the expression of Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) mRNA and the serum AQP4 levels in rat subjects.
This is a randomized controlled study using a posttest-only control group design that uses experimental animals—specifically, male Rattus norvegicus ( Sprague Dawley strain) rats aged 10–12 weeks and weighing 200–300 g. This study used a head injury model according to Marmarou (1994) with minor modifications to the animal model fixation tool. The parameters of the AQP4 mRNA were examined with real-time PCR, while serum AQP4 levels were examined with sandwich ELISA.
Head injury is a major cause of mechanical brain cell injury and also catalyzes secondary damage.
Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) can reduce inflammatory processes, brain lipid peroxidation, and free radical damage.
CAPE treatment can cause a decrease in cerebral edema, mediated by Aquaporin-4 (AQP4).