Cerebral dehydration action of glycerol. I. Historical aspects with emphasis on the toxicity and intravenous administration.

nervous system. Prolonged continuous administration of glycerol does not produce marked alteration of fluid and electrolytes. It is almost totally excluded from the brain, which excludes the problem of rebound overhydration. It has significant nutritional value nad none of the side effects of steroids. The maior toxic effects of glycerol (hemolysis, hemoglobinuria, and renal failure) can be prevented and are a function of concentration and route of administration. Glycerol does not hemolyze red blood cells when it is prepared with isotonic saline in concentrations up to 40 per cent. Human intravenous glycerol has been used safely on a number of occasions with plasma levels reaching 10 mmoles per liter to measure turnover rates in adults and infants. The same oral glycerol dose is effective in lowering ocular tension and cerebrospinal fluid pressure. The plasma concentration response curve for normal human eyes has been previously determined. Intraocular pressure begins to fall when plasma glycerol is approximately 10 mmoles per liter. It is proposed that continuous intravenous glycerol be considered for treatment of cerebral edema in patients not able to take oral glycerol.