Objective: Hyponatremia (HN) is associated with mortality and morbidity risks due to the development of hyponatremic encephalopathy. Its rapid correction also carries a high risk of development of the serious cerebral disorder. This study investigated the possible therapeutic and neuroprotective effects of the green tea (GT) extract against HN and its complications in rats and compared those effects with the outcome of the rapid correction of chronic HN using hypertonic saline (HtNaCl). Methods: Chronic HN was induced using terlipressin (TP; 0.2 mg/kg, s. c) and 2.5% d-glucose solution (equivalent to 5% initial bw/day, i. p) for 3 d. A stabilizing dose of TP (0.1 mg/kg) was used for the following 3 d, along with administration of either saline, GT (600 mg/kg/day, p. o), or HtNaCl (15 ml/kg/day, i. p). Serum sodium level, locomotor activity, pain reflex, and brain contents of iNOS and NO were assessed, together with a histopathological examination of brain tissues. Results: TP-induced profound chronic HN that was corrected with administration of GT and HtNaCl. In a GT-treated group, correction of HN was coupled with improvement of TP-induced alteration of locomotor activity and brain histopathological picture. Elevation of brain iNOS and NO contents, along with detection of focal cellular necrosis and gliovascular proliferation changes in the HtNaCl-treated group indicated neuro pathological complications are accompanying the correction of HN with HtNaCl; a result that was not found in the GT-treated group. Conclusion: Our findings revealed that GT corrected HN induced by TP in rats, and protected against the neuropathological features that characterized hyponatremic encephalopathy and accompanied with its rapid correction. Keywords: Green tea, Terlipressin, Hyponatremia, Hyponatremic encephalopathy, iNOS, RatÂ
