Key genes expressed in different stages of spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury

The temporal expression of microRNA atfer spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury is not yet fully understood. In the present study, we established a model of spinal cord ischemia in Sprague-Dawley rats by clamping the abdominal aorta for 90 minutes, before allowing reperfusion for 24 or 48 hours. A sham-operated group underwent surgery but the aorta was not clamped. The damaged spinal cord was removed for hematoxylin-eosin staining and RNA extraction. Neuronal degeneration and tissue edema were the most severe in the 24-hour reperfusion group, and milder in the 48-hour reperfusion group. RNA ampliifcation, labeling, and hybridization were used to obtain the microRNA expression proifles of each group. Bioinformatics analysis conifrmed four differentially expressed microRNAs (miR-22-3p, miR-743b-3p, miR-201-5p and miR-144-5p) and their common target genes (Tmem69 and Cxcl10). Compared with the sham group, miR-22-3p was continuously upregulated in all three ischemia groups but was highest in the group with no reperfusion, whereas miR-743b-3p, miR-201-5p and miR-144-5p were downregulated in the three ischemia groups. We have successfully identiifed the key genes expressed at different stages of spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury, which provide a reference for future investigations into the mechanism of spinal cord injury.     

Ginsenoside Rd inhibits apoptosis following spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury

Ginsenoside Rd has a clear neuroprotective effect against ischemic stroke. We aimed to verify the neuroprotective effect of ginsenoside Rd in spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury and explore its anti-apoptotic mechanisms. We established a spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury model in rats through the occlusion of the abdominal aorta below the level of the renal artery for 1 hour. Successfully established models were injected intraperitoneally with 6.25, 12.5, 25 or 50 mg/kg per day ginsenoside Rd. Spinal cord morphology was observed at 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury. Intraperitoneal injection of ginsenoside Rd in ischemia/reperfusion injury rats not only improved hindlimb motor function and the morphology of motor neurons in the anterior horn of the spinal cord, but it also reduced neuronal apoptosis. The optimal dose of ginsenoside Rd was 25 mg/kg per day and the optimal time point was 5 days after ischemia/ reperfusion. Immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis showed ginsenoside Rd dose-de- pendently inhibited expression of pro-apoptotic Caspase 3 and down-regulated the expression of the apoptotic proteins ASK1 and JNK in the spinal cord of rats with spinal cord ischemia/reper- fusion injury. These findings indicate that ginsenoside Rd exerts neuroprotective effects against spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury and the underlying mechanisms are achieved through the inhibition of ASK1-JNK pathway and the down-regulation of Caspase 3 expression.     

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 overexpression inhibits neuronal apoptosis after spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2(ALDH_2)is an important factor in inhibiting oxidative stress and has been shown to protect against renal ischemia/reperfusion injury.Therefore,we hypothesized that ALDH_2 could reduce spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury.Spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury was induced in rats using the modified Zivin’s method of clamping the abdominal aorta.After successful model establishment,the agonist group was administered a daily consumption of 2.5%alcohol.At 7 days post-surgery,the Basso,Beattie,and Bresnahan score significantly increased in the agonist group compared with the spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury group.ALDH_2expression also significantly increased and the number of apoptotic cells significantly decreased in the agonist group than in the spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury group.Correlation analysis revealed that ALDH_2 expression negatively correlated with the percentage of TUNEL-positive cells(r=-0.485,P0.01).In summary,increased ALDH_2 expression protected the rat spinal cord against ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting apoptosis.     

MicroRNA-101a-3p mimic ameliorates spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury

miR-101a-3p is expressed in a variety of organs and tissues and plays a regulatory role in many diseases,but its role in spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury remains unclear.In this study,we established a rat model of spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury by clamping the aortic arch for 14 minutes followed by reperfusion for 24 hours.Results showed that miR-101a-3p expression in L4-L6 spinal cord was greatly decreased,whereas MYCN expression was greatly increased.Dual-luciferase reporter assay results showed that miR-101a-3p targeted MYCN.MYCN immunoreactivity,which was primarily colocalized with neurons in L4-L6 spinal tissue,greatly increased after spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury.However,intrathecal injection of an miR-101a-3p mimic within 24 hours before injury decreased MYCN,p53,caspase-9 and interleukin-1βexpression,reduced p53 immunoreactivity,reduced the number of MYCN/NeuN-positive cells and the number of necrotic cells in L4-L6 spinal tissue,and increased Tarlov scores.These findings suggest that the miR-101a-3p mimic improved spinal ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced nerve cell apoptosis and inflammation by inhibiting MYCN and the p53 signaling pathway.Therefore,miR-101a-3p mimic therapy may be a potential treatment option for spinal ischemia/reperfusion injury.     

丹参酮对大鼠脊髓缺血再灌注损伤NMDAR1蛋白表达的影响

BACKGROUND： Tanshinone has been previously shown to be involved in the prevention and treatment of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. In addition, excitatory amino acid-mediated neu- rotoxicity may induce neuronal damage following spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury.
OBJECTIVE： To explore the interventional effect of tanshinone on N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 1 （NMDAR1） protein expression in a rat model of spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury.
DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized molecular biology experiment was conducted at the Traumatology ＆ Orthopedics Laboratory of Fujian Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine （Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine） between September 2007 and May 2008. MATERIALS： A total of 88 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham operation （n = 8）, model （n = 40）, and tanshinone （n = 40） groups. Thirty minutes after ischemia, rats in the model and tanshinone groups were observed at hour 0.5, 1, 4, 8, and 12 following perfusion, with eight rats for each time point. METHODS： Abdominal aorta occlusion was performed along the right renal arterial root using a Scoville-Lewis clamp to induce spinal cord ischemia. Blood flow was recovered 30 minutes following occlusion to establish models of spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury. Abdominal aorta occlusion was not performed in the sham operation group. An intraperitoneal injection of tanshinone ⅡA sulfonic sodium solution （0.2 L/g） was administered to rats in the tanshinone group, preoperatively. In addition, rats in the sham operation and model groups were treated with an intraperitoneal injection of the same concentration of saline, preoperatively.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： NMDAR1 protein expression in the anterior horn of the spinal cord, accumulative absorbance, average absorbance, and area of positive cells were detected in the three groups through immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS： All 88 rats were included in the final analysis. （1） NMDAR1 protein expression increased following 30-minute ischemia/1-hour reperfusion injury to the spinal cord, and reached a peak 4 hours after reperfusion. （2） Accumulative absorbance and average absorbance of NMDAR1, as well as area of positive cells in the model group, were significantly greater than the sham operation group at each time point （P 〈 0.05）. However, values in the tanshinone group were significantly less than the model group （P 〈 0.05）.
CONCLUSION： NMDAR1 protein expression was rapidly increased following spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury and reached a peak 4 hours following reperfusion. In addition, tanshinone downregulated NMDAR1 protein expression in the anterior horn of the spinal cord.     

Stress protein expression in early phase spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury*

Spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury is a stress injury to the spinal cord. Our previous studies using differential proteomics identified 21 differentially expressed proteins (n > 2) in rabbits with spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury. Of these proteins, stress-related proteins included protein disulfide isomerase A3, stress-induced-phosphoprotein 1 and heat shock cognate protein 70. In this study, we established New Zealand rabbit models of spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury by abdominal aorta occlusion. Results demonstrated that hind limb function initially improved after spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury, but then deteriorated. The pathological morphology of the spinal cord became aggravated, but lessened 24 hours after reperfusion. However, the numbers of motor neurons and interneurons in the spinal cord gradually decreased. The expression of protein disulfide isomerase A3, stress-induced-phosphoprotein 1 and heat shock cognate protein 70 was induced by ischemia/reperfusion injury. The expression of these proteins increased within 12 hours after reperfusion, and then decreased, reached a minimum at 24 hours, but subsequently increased again to similar levels seen at 6-12 hours, showing a characterization of induction-inhibition-induction. These three proteins were expressed only in cytoplasm but not in the nuclei. Moreover, the expression was higher in interneurons than in motor neurons, and the survival rate of interneurons was greater than that of motor neurons. It is assumed that the expression of stress-related proteins exhibited a protective effect on neurons.     

Oxidative phosphorylated neurofilament protein M protects spinal cord against ischemia/reperfusion injury

Previous studies have shown that neurofilament protein M expression is upregulated in the early stage of spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury, indicating that this protein may play a role in the injury process. In the present study, we compared protein expression in spinal cord tissue of rabbits after 25 minutes of ischemia followed by 0, 12, 24, or 48 hours of reperfusion with that of sham operated rabbits, using proteomic two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spec- trometry. In addition, the nerve repair-related neurofilament protein M with the unregulated expression was detected with immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. Two-dimen- sional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry showed that, compared with the sham group, upregulation of protein expression was most significant in the spinal cords of rabbits that had undergone ischemia and 24 hours of reperfusion. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that neurofilament protein M was located in the membrane and cytoplasm of neuronal soma and axons at each time point after injury. Western blot analysis showed that neurofilament protein M expression increased with reperfusion time until it peaked at 24 hours and returned to baseline level after 48 hours. Furthermore, neurofilament protein M is phosphorylated under oxidative stress, and expression changes were parallel for the phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated forms. Neurofilament protein M plays an important role in spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury, and its functions are achieved through oxidative phosphorylation.     

丹参酮IIa拮抗脊髓缺血再灌注损伤：干预谷氨酸释放的上游因素

目的：探讨丹参酮调控谷氨酸转运体功能对脊髓缺血再灌注损伤的作用。方法：88只SD 大鼠结扎腹主动脉,制作脊髓缺血再灌注损伤模型。按随机数字表法将动物分为假手术组（n=8）,模型组（n=40）和丹参酮组（n=40）。分别在脊髓缺血再灌注损伤后0.5h、1h、4h、8h、12h相应时点检测各组谷氨酸转运体功能和Na+-K+−ATP酶活性。结果： ①大鼠脊髓组织谷氨酸转运体功能及Na+-K+−ATP酶活性在脊髓缺血再灌注损伤后0.5h后开始下降,4h后降到最低点,其后活性逐渐恢复,但12h后仍未及正常水平。②丹参酮组各观测点脊髓组织谷氨酸转运体功能及Na+-K+−ATP酶活性均较其它两组高。结论：①大鼠脊髓缺血再灌注损伤时脊髓谷氨酸转运体功能和Na+-K+−ATP酶活性均下降;②丹参酮可能通过保护脊髓谷氨酸转运体功能和Na+-K+−ATP酶活性的下降,从而减轻大鼠脊髓缺血再灌注损伤。     

Neuroprotective effect of mesna (2-mercaptoethane sulfonate) against spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury in rabbits

Although the precise mechanism by which ischemia/reperfusion injury occurs in the spinal cord remains unclear, it is evident that free oxygen radicals and apoptosis play major roles in the destruction of membrane lipids, damage to DNA and cell death. The apoptotic process involves activation of the caspase-3 cascade. Although it is widely used as a protective agent against cell injury, it is unknown whether mesna (2-mercaptoethane sulfonate) ameliorates neuronal ischemic injury. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of mesna on caspase-3 activity in a rabbit model. Adult rabbits underwent spinal cord ischemic injury via occlusion of the abdominal aorta for 20 min. Twenty-four hours after ischemia, spinal cord samples were obtained and tissue caspase-3 activity was measured. Rabbits that had been given a single dose of 150 mg/kg mesna had decreased caspase-3 activity in the spinal cord following ischemia/reperfusion injury, indicating a protective effect. However, caspase-3 activity was lower in rabbits given methylprednisolone than in those given mesna, indicating that methylprednisolone has the stronger protective effect of the two agents.     

Differential protein expression in spinal cord tissue of a rabbit model of spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury

New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into an ischemia group(occlusion of the abdominal aorta for 60 minutes),an ischemia-reperfusion group(occlusion of the abdominal aorta for 60 minutes followed by 48 hours of reperfusion) and a sham-surgery group.Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis detected 49 differentially expressed proteins in spinal cord tissue from the ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion groups and 23 of them were identified by mass spectrometry.In the ischemia group,the expression of eight proteins was up regulated,and that of the remaining four proteins was down regulated.In the ischemia/reperfusion group,the expression of four proteins was up regulated,and that of two proteins was down regulated.In the sham-surgery group,only one protein was detected.In the ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion groups,four proteins overlapped between groups with the same differential expression,including three that were up regulated and one down regulated.These proteins were related to energy metabolism,cell defense,inflammatory mechanism and cell signaling.     

缺血后处理对PC12细胞缺血再灌注损伤致细胞凋亡的作用及其机制研究

目的 探讨缺血后处理对PC12细胞缺血再灌注损伤引起的细胞凋亡的作用及其作用机制。方法 将PC12细胞分为3组:正常组、缺血再灌注组、缺血后处理组。缺血再灌注组予以糖氧剥夺12 h后正常培养,缺血后处理组经糖氧剥夺12 h后予以3个循环的正常培养(10 min)→糖氧剥夺(10 min),再正常培养12 h后通过Hoechst染色检测各组细胞的凋亡情况,应用Westernblot 检测各组细胞Caspase-3活化蛋白及磷酸化NF-κB/p65蛋白表达水平,采用RT-PCR检测各组细胞NF-κB及Caspase-3 mRNA表达水平。结果 Hoechst染色显示缺血后处理可降低缺血再灌注引起的细胞凋亡; 与对照组相比, 缺血再灌注组磷酸化NF-κB/p65和Cleaved caspase-3的蛋白表达水平高; 缺血后处理组磷酸化NF-κB/p65和Cleaved caspase-3的蛋白表达水平明显低于缺血再灌注组; NF-κB和Caspase-3的mRNA表达趋势与蛋白表达基本一致。结论 缺血后处理可以减轻缺血再灌注损伤引起的PC12细胞凋亡,这可能与NF-κB/p65信号通路有关。     

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells repair spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury by promoting axonal growth and anti-autophagy

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into neurons and astrocytes after trans- plantation in the spinal cord of rats with ischemia/reperfusion injury. Although bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells are known to protect against spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury through anti-apoptotic effects, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were cultured and proliferated, then transplanted into rats with ischemia/reperfusion injury via retro-orbital injection. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence with subsequent quantification revealed that the expression of the axonal regeneration marker, growth associated protein-43, and the neuronal marker, microtubule-as- sociated protein 2, significantly increased in rats with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation compared with those in rats with spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury. Fur- thermore, the expression of the autophagy marker, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3B, and Beclin 1, was significantly reduced in rats with the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation compared with those in rats with spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury. Western blot analysis showed that the expression of growth associated protein-43 and neuro- filament-H increased but light chain 3B and Beclin 1 decreased in rats with the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation. Our results therefore suggest that bone marrow mes- enchymal stem cell transplantation promotes neurite growth and regeneration and prevents autophagy. These responses may likely be mechanisms underlying the protective effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells against spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury.     

The protective effect of nebivolol on ischemia/reperfusion injury in rabbit spinal cord

The aim of this experimental study was to investigate whether nebivolol has protective effects against neuronal damage induced by spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Twenty-one rabbits were divided into three groups: group I (control, no I/R), group II (only I/R) and group III (I/R+nebivolol). Spinal cord ischemia was induced by clamping the aorta both below the left renal artery and above the aortic bifurcation. Seventy-two hours postoperatively, the motor function of the lower limbs was evaluated in each animal. The animals were sacrificed at 72 h, and histopathological and biochemical analyses were carried out in the lumbar spinal cords. The motor deficit scores in nebivolol group were different from I/R group at 72 h (3.25+/-0.70 vs. 1.75+/-1.28, p=0.01). I/R produced a significant increase in the superoxide dismutase (SOD), xanthine oxidase (XO), adenosine deaminase (ADA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities in spinal cord tissue when compared with control group. Nebivolol treatment prevented the increase of all those enzymes activities produced by I/R. A significant decrease in spinal cord glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) level was seen in I/R group and nebivolol treatment prevented the decrement in the spinal cord tissue GSH-Px contents. On the other hand, I/R produced a significant increase in the spinal cord tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) contents, this was prevented by nebivolol treatment. In conclusion, this study demonstrates a considerable neuroprotective effect of nebivolol on neurological, biochemical and histopathological status during periods of spinal cord I/R in rabbits.     

MicroRNA-670 aggravates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury via the Yap pathway

Apoptosis is an important programmed cell death process involved in ischemia/reperfusion injury. MicroRNAs are considered to play an important role in the molecular mechanism underlying the regulation of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury. However, whether miR-670 can regulate cell growth and death in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion and the underlying mechanism are poorly understood. In this study, we established mouse models of transient middle artery occlusion and Neuro 2 a cell models of oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation to investigate the potential molecular mechanism by which miR-670 exhibits its effects during cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury both in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that after ischemia/reperfusion injury, miR-670 expression was obviously increased. After miR-670 expression was inhibited with an miR-670 antagomir, cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced neuronal death was obviously reduced. When miR-670 overexpression was induced by an miR-670 agomir, neuronal apoptosis was increased. In addition, we also found that miR-670 could promote Yap degradation via phosphorylation and worsen neuronal apoptosis and neurological deficits. Inhibition of miR-670 reduced neurological impairments after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. These results suggest that microRNA-670 aggravates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury through the Yap pathway, which may be a potential target for treatment of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. The present study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of China Medical University on February 27, 2017(IRB No. 2017 PS035 K).     

Expression profiles of microRNAs after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Rat models of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury were established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery.Microarray analysis showed that 24 hours after cerebral ischemia,there were nine up-regulated and 27 down-regulated microRNA genes in cortical tissue.Bioinformatic analysis showed that bcl-2 was the target gene of microRNA-384-5p and microRNA-494,and caspase-3 was the target gene of microRNA-129,microRNA-320 and microRNA-326.Real-time PCR and western blot analyses showed that 24 hours after cerebral ischemia,bcl-2 mRNA and protein levels in brain tissue were significantly decreased,while caspase-3 mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased.This suggests that following cerebral ischemia,differentially expressed microRNA-384-5p,microRNA-494,microRNA-320,microRNA-129 and microRNA-326 can regulate bcl-2 and caspase-3 expression in brain tissue.     

多次缺血预处理对兔脊髓缺血性损伤时金属元素的影响

目的　探讨多次缺血预处理 (IPC)对兔脊髓缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用及其机制。方法　 2 4只日本大白兔随机双盲分为假手术组 (A组 )、缺血再灌注组 (B组 )和IPC保护组 (C组 ) ,每组 8只。A组不阻断主动脉 ,B组阻断主动脉 4 5min ,C组阻断主动脉 5min ,开放 5min ,反复 4次之后再阻断 4 5min。术后第 7天检测脊髓组织金属元素 (Ca、Mg、Cu、Zn)的浓度。术后观察后肢神经功能的评分、后肢针电极肌电图(EMG)和脊髓组织病理学的改变。结果　B组脊髓组织Ca、Cu的浓度较A组显著性升高 (P <0 .0 5或0 .0 1) ,Mg、Zn的浓度则显著性降低 (P <0 .0 5 )。B组脊髓组织Ca、Zn的浓度分别较C组显著性升高或降低(P <0 .0 1)。B组后肢神经功能评分均显著性低于A、C组 (P <0 .0 5或 0 .0 1) ,脊髓病理学和后肢EMG亦较C组有显著性病理改变 (P <0 .0 1)。结论　多次IPC对兔脊髓缺血再灌注损伤具有显著而又快速的保护作用 ,其保护机制与维持缺血区域Ca、Mg、Cu、Zn元素的平衡有关。     

Protective effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell vein transplantation against spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

BACKGROUND: The majority of studies addressing spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury (SCIRI) have focused on drugs, proteins, cytokines, and various surgical techniques. A recent study reports that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUCMSC) transplantation achieves good therapeutic effects, but the mechanisms underlying nerve protection remain poorly understood.OBJECTIVE: To observe survival of transplanted hUCMSCs in SCIRI rat models and the influence on motor function in the hind limbs, to determine interleukin-8 expression and cellular apoptosis in spinal cord tissues, and to verify the hypothesis that hUCMSC transplantation exhibits protective effects on SCIRI.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Laboratory of the Department of Orthopedics in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University,China between January 2007 and December 2008.MATERIALS: hUCMSCs were harvested from umbilical cord blood of healthy pregnant women after parturition in the Obstetrical Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, China. Rabbit anti-human BrdU monoclonal antibody was provided by DAKO, USA. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) Kit and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) Kit were purchased by Wuhan Boster, China. METHODS: A total of 72 healthy, Wistar, adult rats were randomly assigned to three groups: sham-surgery, model, and transplantation, with 24 rats in each group. SCIRI was induced in the model and transplantation groups via the abdominal aorta block method. The inf rarenal abdominal aorta was not blocked in the sham-surgery group. Prior to abdominal aorta occlusion, 0.2-0.3 mL bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-labeled hUCMSCs suspension (cell concentration 5 × 10~3/μL) was injected through the great saphenous vein of the hind limb, and an equal volume of physiological saline was administered to the model and sham-surgery groups.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pathological observation of rat spinal cord tissues was performed by hematoxylin-eosin staining at 6, 24, and 48 hours post-surgery. Immunohistochemistry was applied to determine hUCMSCs survival in the spinal cord. The amount of cellular apoptosis and interleukin-8 expression in spinal cord tissues was assayed utilizing the TUNEL and ELISA methods, respectively. Motor function in the hind limbs was evaluated according to Jacob's score. RESULTS: Numerous BrdU-positive cells were observed in spinal cord tissues from the transplantation group. The number of apoptotic cells and interleukin-8 levels significantly decreased in the transplantation group (P < 0.05), pathological injury was significantly ameliorated, and motor function scores significantly increased (P < 0.05) compared with the model group. CONCLUSION: Via vein transplantation, hUCMSCs were shown to reach and survive in the injury area. Results suggested that the transplanted hUCMSCs contributed to significantly improved pathological changes in the injured spinal cord, as well as motor function, following SCIRI. The protective mechanism correlated with inhibition of cellular apoptosis and reduced production of inflammatory mediators.     

Neuroprotective effect of ginsenoside Rg1 against spinal cord ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats

Ischemia-reperfusion injury is one of the most important components of the pathogenesis of spinal cord dysfunction. The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the beneficial effects of Ginsenoside Rg1 (GRg1) on spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury and its associated mechanism. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into the following ten groups: a sham group, an ischemia group, four reperfusion groups and four GRg1 groups. Spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury was induced by balloon occlusion of the aorta for 10 minutes, followed by immediate reperfusion. In the GRg1 treatment groups, intraperitoneal injection of GRg1 was performed 30 minutes before the induction of ischemia and immediately after the completion of ischemia. The animals were then sacrificed at designated time points, namely, 6, 12, 24 or 48 h after reperfusion had started. Histopathology (H&E staining) and immunohistochemistry (Survivin, Bcl-2, AIF and TUNEL) were performed in all the groups. Spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion produced prominent tissue damage characterized by edema and neuronal injury in the affected regions. Rats in the GRg1 treatment groups showed significantly better morphological results than those in the corresponding reperfusion groups. The numbers of survivin- and Bcl-2-positive cells in the GRg1 groups were more than that in the reperfusion groups (P < 0.05), whereas the numbers of AIF- and TUNEL-positive cells were less (P < 0.05). The data obtained in this study demonstrates a considerable neuroprotective effect of GRg1 during spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion in rats. One of the underlying mechanisms is that GRg1 reduces cell apoptosis.