GAP-43治疗大鼠脊髓横断后神经中丝NF200表达的变化

通过制备成年SD大鼠完全性脊髓损伤模型,研究生长相关蛋白(GAP-43)治疗大鼠脊髓损伤后神经中丝(NF200)表达的变化,探讨GAP-43在再生修复中的作用,为临床治疗提供实验依据。实验采用雌性8周龄SD大鼠75只,制成脊髓损伤模型后随机分为三组:GAP-43抗体组、GAP-43抗原组和对照组,每组25只。使用直接注射法将GAP-43抗原和GAP-43多克隆抗体分别注入抗原组和抗体组的大鼠脊髓的断端,对照组仅切断脊髓而不给药,最后观察各组大鼠肢体功能的恢复情况。用BBB评分法对不同时段大鼠的行为学表现进行评分,用HE染色及免疫组化染色观察NF200的表达,并对其进行相关性分析。结果发现对照组在不同的时间段行为学评分最低和抗原组评分最高,脊髓损伤区病理改变明显好转,NF200的表达呈进行性增高,且前角神经元NF200的表达早于后角神经元。抗体组早期恢复出现明显的停滞状态,但停药后能很快恢复。说明GAP-43能促进损伤脊髓的恢复,而抗体对损伤脊髓恢复的影响是可逆的,这对于脊髓再生的研究是一种值得探讨的新方法,对进一步探索脊髓损伤的治疗具有重要的意义。     

α-硫辛酸对大鼠全横断脊髓损伤后GAP-43和Caspase-3表达的影响

目的:研究α-硫辛酸对脊髓全横断损伤(SCI)大鼠损伤部位神经生长相关蛋白(GAP-43)、神经细胞凋亡相关蛋白(Caspase-3)的表达,探讨α-硫辛酸对大鼠脊髓全横断损伤功能恢复的作用。方法:制作并评价SD大鼠SCI模型后,64只大鼠随机分为假手术组、脊髓损伤组(SCI组)、SCI+游泳训练组(游泳组)和SCI+α-硫辛酸组(硫辛酸组)。各组按手术后7、14、21、28 d等4个时间点收集标本,每个时间点大鼠均为4只。各组大鼠进行BBB评分。各组4个时间点的GAP-43和Caspase-3表达用免疫组化测定,同时用Western Blot检测GAP-43表达。结果:游泳训练和用硫辛酸均能提高脊髓损伤大鼠的BBB评分(P0.05)。与SCI组比较,游泳组和硫辛酸组GAP-43表达显著增加,Caspase-3表达则明显降低(P0.05),且硫辛酸组比游泳组的GAP-43表达增加和Caspase-3表达降低更为明显(P0.05)。结论:游泳训练和α-硫辛酸可以上调脊髓损伤大鼠GAP-43表达和抑制Caspase-3表达促进损伤神经修复,对改善大鼠运动功能有一定疗效。     

Simvastatin treatment improves functional recovery after experimental spinal cord injury by upregulating the expression of BDNF and GDNF

The aim of this study was to determine the therapeutic efficacy of simvastatin treatment starting 1 day after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rat and to investigate the underlying mechanism. Spinal cord injury was induced in adult female Sprague–Dawley rats after laminectomy at T9-T10. Then additionally with sham group (laminectomy only) the SCI animals were randomly divided into 3 groups: vehicle-treated group; 5-mg/kg simvastatin-treated group; and 10-mg/kg simvastatin-treated group. Simvastatin or vehicle was administered orally at 1 day after SCI and then daily for 5 weeks. Locomotor functional recovery was assessed during 8 weeks postoperation by performing open-field locomotor test and inclined-plane test. At the end of study, motor evoked potentials (MEPs) and somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) were assessed to evaluate the integrity of spinal cord pathways. Then, the animals were killed, and 1-cm segments of spinal cord encompassing the injury site were removed for histopathological analysis. Immunohistochemistry was performed to observe the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in the spinal cord. Results show that the simvastatin-treated animals showed significantly better locomotor function recovery, better electrophysiological outcome, less myelin loss, and higher expression of BDNF and GDNF. These findings suggest that simvastatin treatment starting 1 day after SCI can significantly improve locomotor recovery, and this neuroprotective effect may be related to the upregulation of BDNF and GDNF. Therefore, simvastatin may be useful as a promising therapeutic agent for SCI.     

Training improves the electrophysiological properties of lumbar neurons and locomotion after thoracic spinal cord injury in rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a stepping-based rehabilitation program in voluntary wheel cages on the functional recovery and electrophysiological properties of neurons in the rat lumbar spinal cord after compressive thoracic (T10) spinal cord injury (SCI). A significant decrease in stance/swing duration and the number of limbs simultaneously in the stance phase was seen in trained compared to sedentary rats at 28 days after SCI (p<0.05). These kinematic improvements were associated with a significant increase in the amplitude of extracellular recordings from the tibial motoneuron pool in response to descending neuronal drive as well as significant amelioration of electrophysiological properties assessed from intracellular recordings. In fact, electrophysiological properties were not significantly different between uninjured controls and SCI-trained rats. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were significantly elevated in the lumbar spinal cord of SCI-trained rats compared to SCI-sedentary controls. The data support a therapeutic role of increased neuromuscular activity in promoting functional recovery and suggest that it might occur via the beneficial effects of neurotrophic factors on neuronal plasticity.     

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor reduces necrotic zone and supports neuronal survival after spinal cord hemisection in adult rats

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in necrotic changes leading to cavity formation and glial scar tissue in the lesion zone. We have examined the effects of continuous topical administration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on cavity formation and neuronal death after SCI. Following retrograde prelabeling of the tibial motoneurons in the L4–L6 spinal cord segments with the fluorescent dye Fast blue, a spinal hemisection was performed in the L5 segment. At 4 weeks postoperatively, only 66% of the labeled motoneurons remained in the untreated animals, while BDNF treatment resulted in a significant reduction in size of the lesion cavity and 92% motoneuron survival. A therapeutic potential of BDNF in the early treatment of SCI is suggested.     

BDNF-exercise interactions in the recovery of symmetrical stepping after a cervical hemisection in rats

Clinical evidence indicates that motor training facilitates functional recovery after a spinal cord injury (SCI). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a powerful synaptic facilitator and likely plays a key role in motor and sensory functions. Spinal cord hemisection decreases the levels of BDNF below the injury site, and exercise can counteract this decrease [Ying Z, Roy RR, Edgerton VR, Gomez-Pinilla F (2005) Exercise restores levels of neurotrophins and synaptic plasticity following spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol 193:411-419]. It is not clear, however, whether the exercise-induced increases in BDNF play a role in mediating the recovery of locomotion after a SCI. We performed a lateral cervical ( approximately C4) hemisection in adult rats. Seven days after hemisection, the BDNF inhibitor trkB IgG was injected into the cervical spinal cord below the lesion ( approximately C5-C6). Half of the rats were exposed to voluntary running wheels for 14 days. Locomotor ability was assessed by determining the symmetry between the contralateral (unaffected) vs. the ipsilateral (affected) forelimb at the most optimum treadmill speed for each rat. Sedentary and exercised rats with BDNF inhibition showed a higher level of asymmetry during the treadmill locomotion test than rats not treated with the BDNF inhibitor. In hemisected rats, exercise normalized the levels of molecules important for synaptic function, such as cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) and synapsin I, in the ipsilateral cervical enlargement, whereas the BDNF blocker lessened these exercise-associated effects. The results indicate that BDNF levels play an important role in shaping the synaptic plasticity and in defining the level of recovery of locomotor performance after a SCI.     

Evaluation of cellular organization and axonal regeneration through linear PLA foam implants in acute and chronic spinal cord injury

There are few studies of neural implants in spinal cord injury (SCI) focused on supporting directed axon growth. In this study, we fabricated a macroporous poly (lactic acid) (PLA) foam with oriented inner channels. Amorphous foam without linear channels served as a control in an acute SCI injury model, and the effectiveness of foam with linear channels was further investigated in a chronic SCI model. Implants were placed into a 2 mm hemisection lesion cavity at the T8 spinal cord level in adult rats. Two weeks post-implantation, tissue sections including the implants were examined using antibodies against GFAP, p75, ED-1, laminin, GAP-43, and CGRP. Foam implants were well-integrated with the host spinal cord. In linear foams, numerous DAPI-stained cells were found within the inner channels. Schwann cells but not astrocytes had migrated within the channels. Intense laminin staining was observed throughout the extracellular matrix substrate. GAP-43- and CGRP-positive axons grew through the implants following the linear channels. In the amorphous control foams, DAPI staining distributed evenly through the pores. However, the growth of GAP-43 or CGRP-positive axons was misguided and impeded at the entrance area of the foam. Higher numbers of GAP-43 and CGRP-positive axons grew into linear foam implants after chronic SCI than acute SCI. These results suggest the potential application of linear foam implants in cell and axon guidance for SCI repair, especially for chronic SCI.     

被动运动对脊髓损伤大鼠后肢运动功能及骨骼肌的影响

目的　观察被动运动促进脊髓损伤（Spinal cord injury, SCI）大鼠后肢运动功能恢复和改善骨骼肌萎缩的影响;探讨脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）对被动运动促进功能恢复和延缓肌萎缩的作用。 方法　将36只健康成年雌性SD大鼠随机分假手术组、对照组（未行运动）,被动运动组（损伤1周后开始被动运动,共4 周）。采用改良的Allen’s法制备SCI模型。术后1 d和1、2、3、4 周通过大鼠Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan(BBB)行为学评分检测各组大鼠的运动功能;术后5周,采用HE染色比较各组大鼠脊髓组织病理变化,观察大鼠后肢腓肠肌的横断面积、直径和形态变化。测量腓肠肌湿重、体重和肌湿重/体重,评价肌萎缩情况;采用Western blots检测腓肠肌中BDNF的表达变化。 结果　被动运动组运动功能明显高于对照组（P<0.05）。损伤5周后,对照组和被动运动组的脊髓组织失去正常形态,神经元数量减少,损伤区大量空洞形成,而被动运动组的变化较对照组轻。对照组腓肠肌湿重、肌湿重/体重、横断面积和直径下降,被动运动组改善上述肌萎缩情况（P<0.05）。与假手术组相比,对照组和被动运动组BDNF表达量增加（P<0.05）,其中被动运动组高于对照组（P<0.05）。 结论　被动运动可能是通过增加SCI后BDNF表达促进损伤后运动功能的恢复,并能有效改善失神经性肌萎缩。     

低氧预处理脐带间充质干细胞移植促进大鼠脊髓损伤修复

目的:评估低氧预处理脐带间充质干细胞(human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells,UCMSCs)移植修复大鼠急性脊髓损伤的作用并初步探讨其机制。方法:分别于常氧和低氧条件下培养UCMSCs,细胞免疫荧光鉴定细胞,ELISA测定细胞脑源性生长因子(BDNF)、血管源性生长因子(VEGF)、睫状生长因子(CNTF)和肝细胞生长因子(HGF)的浓度。采用改良的Al1en’s法(2.5 g×10 cm)建立60只大鼠T10脊髓损伤模型,随机分为假手术组、模型组、低氧细胞移植组及常氧细胞移植组,每组20只,损伤后即刻移植1×10~6个细胞至低氧细胞移植组及常氧细胞移植组动物脊髓内。术前及术后每周进行运动功能BBB评分;采用免疫荧光法检测移植细胞的存活、神经细胞凋亡;采用ELISA法检测细胞移植第2、14、28 d脊髓组织肝细胞生长因子的浓度。结果:在低氧组,体外由UCMSCs分泌的BDNF、VEGF、CNTF和HGF浓度显著高于常氧组细胞。与模型组比较,细胞移植组运动功能评分和HGF含量增加,而神经细胞的凋亡率降低,但以低氧细胞移植组改变最明显。结论:低氧预处理的UMCSCs具有提高神经营养因子分泌作用,其机制可能与下调神经细胞凋亡,增加受损脊髓组织HGF有关。     

神经生长相关蛋白GAP-43在脊髓损伤后不同时段的表达

目的探讨成年大鼠脊髓损伤后不同时段神经生长相关蛋白GAP-43表达的改变及其在脊髓损伤修复中的意义。方法应用改良的Allen’s法和数字化脊髓损伤模型制备仪建立大鼠脊髓损伤模型,用免疫组织化学方法检测脊髓在损伤后不同时段GAP-43的表达,分析免疫阳性细胞数和细胞的积分光密度值,资料用q检验进行统计分析。结果GAP-43表达于脊髓神经元胞浆及突起中,在前角运动神经元中更为明显,损伤后一周内免疫反应逐渐增强,损伤后第5天积分光密度值（10D）达到高峰（P〈0．01）,2周后明显下调（P〈0．05）。结论脊髓损伤可能诱导损伤区GAP-43表达,在损伤后7d左右表达高峰期出现,提示其可能参与了脊髓损伤神经的生长修复过程。     

Effect of cervical spinal cord hemisection on the expression of axon growth markers

To evaluate the plasticity processes occurring in the spared and injured tissue after partial spinal cord injury, we have compared the level of axon growth markers after a C2 cervical hemisection in rats between the contralateral (spared) and ipsilateral (injured) cervical cord using western blotting and immunohistochemical techniques. In the ipsilateral spinal cord 7 days after injury, although GAP-43 levels were increased in the ventral horn caudal to the injury, they were globally decreased in the whole structure (C1–C6). By contrast, in the contralateral intact side 7 days and 1 month after injury, we have found an increase of GAP-43 and βIII tubulin levels, suggesting that processes of axonal sprouting may occur in the spinal region contralateral to the injury. This increase of GAP-43 in the contralateral spinal cord after cervical hemisection may account, at least partially, to the spontaneous ipsilateral recovery observed after a cervical hemisection.     

GAP-43治疗大鼠完全性脊髓损伤后GFAP表达的变化及意义

目的:通过制备完全性脊髓损伤(SCI)成年SD大鼠模型,研究生长相关蛋白(GAP-43)治疗大鼠SCI后胶质原纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)的变化,探讨GAP-43在再生修复中的作用,为临床治疗提供实验参考。方法:咬除T7-T8棘突及相应椎板,用剪刀将脊髓完全横断,制成SCI模型。雌性8周龄SD大鼠75只,随机分为三组:GAP-43抗体组、GAP-43抗原组、对照组,每组25只。使用直接注射法将GAP-43抗原和GAP-43多克隆抗体分别注入抗原组和抗体组的大鼠脊髓的断端,观察各组大鼠肢体功能的恢复情况,用BBB评分法进行不同时段的行为学评分、免疫组化染色及图像分析方法观察GFAP的表达变化,并对其进行相关性分析。结果:对照组大鼠在不同时间段的行为学评分最低,抗原组评分最高;抗原组GFAP阳性细胞显著增多,而抗体组晚期则显著减少。结论:GAP-43可促进星形胶质细胞增生,而GAP-43抗体对星形胶质细胞的增生则表现为抑制作用。本实验结果表明GAP-43对脊髓损伤具有较好的治疗作用。     

Simvastatin mobilizes bone marrow stromal cells migrating to injured areas and promotes functional recovery after spinal cord injury in the rat

This study investigated the therapeutic effects of simvastatin administered by subarachnoid injection after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats; explored the underlying mechanism from the perspective of mobilization, migration and homing of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) to the injured area induced by simvastatin. Green fluorescence protein labeled-bone marrow stromal cells (GFP-BMSCs) were transplanted into rats through the tail vein for stem cell tracing. Twenty-four hours after transplantation, spinal cord injury (SCI) was produced using weight-drop method (10g 4cm) at the T10 level. Simvastatin (5mg/kg) or vehicle was administered by subarachnoid injection at lumbar level 4 after SCI. Locomotor functional recovery was assessed in the 4 weeks following surgery using the open-field test and inclined-plane test. At the end of the study, MRI was used to evaluate the reparation of the injured spinal cord. Animals were then euthanized, histological evaluation was used to measure lesion cavity volumes. Immunofluorescence for GFP and cell lineage markers (NeuN and GFAP) was used to evaluate simvastatin-mediated mobilization and differentiation of transplanted BMSCs. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Simvastatin-treated animals showed significantly better locomotor recovery, less signal abnormality in MRI and a smaller cavity volume compared to the control group. Immunofluorescence revealed that simvastatin increased the number of GFP-positive cells in the injured spinal cord, and the number of cells double positive for GFP/NeuN or GFP/GFAP was larger in the simvastatin treated group than the control group. Western blot and immunohistochemistry showed higher expression of BDNF and VEGF in the simvastatin treated group than the control group. In conclusion, simvastatin can help to repair spinal cord injury in rat, where the underlying mechanism appears to involve the mobilization of bone marrow stromal cells to the injured area and higher expression of BNDF and VEGF.     

Voluntary exercise induces a BDNF-mediated mechanism that promotes neuroplasticity

We have investigated potential mechanisms by which exercise can promote changes in neuronal plasticity via modulation of neurotrophins. Rodents were exposed to voluntary wheel running for 3 or 7 days, and their lumbar spinal cord and soleus muscle were assessed for changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), its signal transduction receptor (trkB), and downstream effectors for the action of BDNF on synaptic plasticity. Exercise increased the expression of BDNF and its receptor, synapsin I (mRNA and phosphorylated protein), growth-associated protein (GAP-43) mRNA, and cyclic AMP response element-binding (CREB) mRNA in the lumbar spinal cord. Synapsin I, a synaptic mediator for the action of BDNF on neurotransmitter release, increased in proportion to GAP-43 and trkB mRNA levels. CREB mRNA levels increased in proportion to BDNF mRNA levels. In separate experiments, the soleus muscle was paralyzed unilaterally via intramuscular botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection to determine the effects of reducing the neuromechanical output of a single muscle on the neurotrophin response to motor activity. In sedentary BTX-A-treated rats, BDNF and synapsin I mRNAs were reduced below control levels in the spinal cord and soleus muscle. Exercise did not change the BDNF mRNA levels in the spinal cord of BTX-A-treated rats but further reduced the BDNF mRNA levels in the paralyzed soleus relative to the levels in sedentary BTX-A-treated rats. Exercise also restored synapsin I to near control levels in the spinal cord. These results indicate that basal levels of neuromuscular activity are required to maintain normal levels of BDNF in the neuromuscular system and the potential for neuroplasticity.     

Exercise-induced gene expression changes in the rat spinal cord

There is growing evidence that exercise benefits recovery of neuromuscular function from spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the effect of exercise on gene expression in the spinal cord is poorly understood. We used oligonucleotide microarrays to compare thoracic and lumbar regions of spinal cord of either exercising (voluntary wheel running for 21 days) or sedentary rats. The expression data were filtered using statistical tests for significance, and K-means clustering was then used to segregate lists of significantly changed genes into sets based upon expression patterns across all experimental groups. Levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein were also measured after voluntary exercise, across different regions of the spinal cord. BDNF mRNA increased with voluntary exercise, as has been previously shown for other forms of exercise, contributed to by increases in both exon I and exon III. The exercise-induced gene expression changes identified by microarray analysis are consistent with increases in pathways promoting neuronal health, signaling, remodeling, cellular transport, and development of oligodendrocytes. Taken together these data suggest cellular pathways through which exercise may promote recovery in the SCI population.     

Afferent input modulates neurotrophins and synaptic plasticity in the spinal cord

The effects of eliminating or decreasing neuromuscular activity on the expression of neurotrophins and associated molecules in the spinal cord and subsequent effects on spinal cord plasticity were determined. Spinal cord isolation (SI), which eliminates any supraspinal and peripheral monosynaptic input to the lumbar region but maintains the motoneuron-muscle connectivity, decreased the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin 3 (NT-3) mRNA and protein in the isolated segments. Synapsin I, an important mediator for the effects of BDNF on synaptic plasticity, also was lower in the lumbar region of SI rats. In contrast, the levels of BDNF, synapsin, and growth-associated protein (GAP-43) were increased in the cervical spinal cord enlargement rostral to the isolated region, most likely reflecting an increased use of the forelimbs in the SI rats. GAP-43 levels were also increased in the lumbar spinal cord region, probably associated with compensatory mechanisms related to the deafferentation. In a separate set of experiments, the soleus muscle was paralyzed unilaterally via intramuscular botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection to determine the effects of reducing the propioceptive input, of this normally highly active muscle on neurotrophin expression in the spinal cord. BDNF and synapsin I mRNAs were lower and NT-3 levels were higher in the lumbar hemicord ipsilateral to the BTX-A injection. Combined, these results indicate that the level of supraspinal and muscle afferent input plays an important role in modulating the levels of BDNF and NT-3 in the spinal cord.     

Sustained intraspinal delivery of neurotrophic factor encapsulated in biodegradable nanoparticles following contusive spinal cord injury

Glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) induces neuronal survival and tissue repair after spinal cord injury (SCI). A continuous GDNF supply is believed to gain greater efficacy in the neural restoration of the injured spinal cord. Accordingly, nanovehicle formulation for their efficient delivery and sustained release in injured spinal cord was examined. We first used fluorescence-labeled bovine serum albumin (FBSA) loaded in biodegradable poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) for intraspinal administration after SCI and for in vitro study. Our results showed that the preservation of PLGA-FBSA was observed in the injured spinal cord at 24h, and PLGA-FBSA nanoparticles were well absorbed by neurons and glia, indicating that PLGA as a considerable nanovehicle for the delivery of neuroprotective polypeptide into injured spinal cord. Furthermore, intraspinal injection of GDNF encapsulated in PLGA (PLGA-GDNF) nanoparticles into the injured spinal cord proximal to the lesion center had no effect on gliosis when compared to that observed in SCI rats receiving PLGA injection. However, local administration of PLGA-GDNF effectively preserved neuronal fibers and led to the hindlimb locomotor recovery in rats with SCI, providing a potential strategy for the use of PLGA-GDNF in the treatment of SCI.     

miR-124 regulates neural stem cells in the treatment of spinal cord injury

Several studies demonstrated that the overexpression of miR-124 in neural stem cells (NSCs) could lead the NSCs to differentiate into neurons and astrocytes, which may be important for functional recovery in spinal cord injury. The present study attempted to explore the potential repairing effect of the NSCs transfected with miR-124 for the rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). NSCs transfected with miR-124 were transplanted into rats by intravenous injection after SCI. The effects of miR-124 on the differentiation of NSCs and the treatment for the SCI-model rats were experimentally investigated. The reduction of cavity volume in focal lesions and Basso–Beattie–Bresnahan (BBB) scores were used as the criteria of functional recovery of the SCI-model rats. Up-regulation of miR-124 promoted the differentiation of NSCs. Transfection of miR-124 in NSCs dramatically increased the percentage of NeuN-positive cells, and reduced the percentage of GFAP-positive cells in vitro and in vivo respectively. All of the rats treated with NSCs transfected with miR-124 achieved the better functional recovery than the ones in NSCs and sham control groups. Furthermore, the systemic delivery of the NSCs transfected with miR-124 resulted in a reduction of lesion cavity volume of SCI-model rats. Thus, Overexpression of miR-124 can promote the differentiation of NSCs and play an important role in the repair of SCI. The utility of intravenous delivery of stem cells regulated with miR-124 to target lesion areas as a prospective therapeutic approach in acute spinal cord injury is very promising in the future.     

抗BDNF血清对小鼠坐骨神经损伤后脊髓前角运动神经元内GAP-43表达的影响

小鼠坐骨神经压榨损伤后 ,腹腔注射抗 BDNF血清 ,动物存活 2周。用组织原位杂交技术与免疫组织化学方法观察生长相关蛋白 ( GAP-4 3)在脊髓腰骶膨大部前角运动神经元的表达 ,并对实验结果进行图像分析。结果发现 ,注射抗 BDNF血清后坐骨神经损伤侧脊髓前角 GAP-4 3m RNA的阳性神经元与 GAP-4 3免疫反应阳性神经元的数目减少 ,阳性神经元的光密度也降低 ,上述改变在统计学上均有显著意义。结果提示 ,小鼠坐骨神经损伤后内源性 BDNF可能参与脊髓前角运动神经元 GAP-4 3的表达     

Effects of methylprednisolone on the neural conduction of the motor evoked potentials in spinal cord injured rats

Methylprednisolone(MP), a glucocorticoid steroid, has an anti-inflammatory action and seems to inhibit the formation of oxygen free radicals produced during lipid peroxidation in a spinal cord injury(SCI). However, the effects of MP on the functional recovery after a SCI is controversial. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of MP on the recovery of neural conduction following a SCI. A SCI was produced using the NYU spinal cord impactor. A behavioral test was conducted to measure neurological disorders, and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were recorded. According to the behavioral test, using BBB locomotor scaling, MP-treated animals showed improved functional recoveries when compared to saline-treated animals. MEP latencies in the MP-treated group were shortened when compared to those in the control group. Peak amplitudes of MEPs were larger in the MP-treated group than those in the control group. The thresholds of MEPs tended to be lower in the MP-treated group than those in the control group. These results suggest that MP may improve functional recovery after a SCI.