Protective effect of deferoxamine on experimental spinal cord injury in rat

Objective

To observe the protective effect of deferoxamine on experimental spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats.

Methods

Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following four groups. Control group: rats were performed laminectomy only; SCI group: rats were performed laminectomy with SCI; DFO group: rats were injected intraperitoneally a bolus of 100 mg/kg deferoxamine after SCI; vehicle group: rats were injected intraperitoneally 0.9% saline after SCI. The SCI of animal model was made by using a modified Allen's method on T₁₀. Six rats of each group were sacrificed at 4 h after injured, and the levels of free iron and malondialdehyde (MDA) of involved spinal cord segments were measured by bleomycin assay and the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) separately. The recovery of function was assessed by Modified Tarlov's scale and inclined plane method at 7, 14, 21 d after SCI. The histologic changes of the damaged spinal cord were also examined at 7 d after SCI.

Results

Following SCI, the levels of free iron and MDA were increased significantly and the Modified Tarlov's score and inclined plane angles decreased in SCI group and vehicle group. In DFO group, the levels of free iron and MDA were not increased, but the Modified Tarlov's score and inclined plane angles decreased, the histological findings were improved as well.

Conclusion

Deferoxamine can reduce the levels of free iron and lipid peroxidation, and improve the hind limb functional status of rats with spinal cord injury.