Induction of cellular cerebral edema (CE) was achieved by
a standard method of water intoxication which consisted of
fractionated intraperitoneal administration of distilled water (DW)
together with the injection of desmopressin (DP). Using metabolic
cage, fluid and food balance was studied in two groups of eight
animals: group C – control; group CE – cellular edema induced by
water intoxication. For each rat the intake (food pellets and
water) and excretion (solid excrements and urine) were recorded
for 48 h together with the initial and final body weight.
CE animals consumed significantly less food, drank less water and
eliminated the smallest amount of excrements. The induction of
cellular cerebral edema was accompanied with
a significant loss of body weight (representing on average 13 %
of the initial values) mainly due to a reduction of food intake. This
phenomenon has not yet been reported.