Objective To investigate the effects of Neuritin on the regeneration of the neural axons after acute spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Methods The model of acute SCI at T10 was establ ished in 54 adult healthy Wistar rats (half males and half females) weighing 250-300 g by using the improved Allen’s weight-drop method. The rats were randomly dividedinto 3 groups. 100 μL (6 μg) Neuritin and His protein was injected into group A (n=24) and group B (n=24), respectively,through subarachnoid catheter. Six rats from each group were killed 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after injury to receive Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scal ing, HE staining observation, and immunohistochemistry staining observation for neurofilament 200 (NF-200) and growth associated protein 43 (GAP-43). Group C (n=6) served as sham-operated group receiving laminectomy without spinal injury and with an empty catheter in the subarachnoid space and received the above observations 7 days after injury. Results BBB scale: after operation, the scale of groups A and B was increased over time; group A was significantly higher than group B from 14 days (P lt; 0.05); group C was higher than groups A and B at different time points after operation (P lt; 0.05). HE staining: in group C, the injured spinal tissue was normal after operation; from 7 days after operation, group A presented deeper-stained nissl body, less physal iferous cells, and more nerve synapses when compared with group B. NF-200 and GAP-43 immunohistochemistry observation: in group C, there was just l ittle positive expression; while in groups A and B, positive expression of NF-200 and GAP-43 was evident in the spinal cord from 7 days after operation. Mean density integral absorbency (IA) value of NF-200 and GAP-43: group A was higher than group B at each time point (P lt; 0.05) and group C was lower than groups A and B at each time point (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Local application of exogenous Neuritin can promote the axonal regeneration after acute SCI in rats and the recovery of the locomotion function of hind-limbs in rats.
To investigate the effects of fibrin glue on repair and regeneration of acute complete spinal cord injury. Methods Acute complete transaction spinal cord injury model were made in 10 adult healthy SD rats(female, weighing 250-300 g), randomized grouping: treated group(n=5) and control group(n=5). In the treated group, fibrin glue was implanted covering on the injury site and fill ing the lesion gap. In the control group, no treatment was given. At 4 weeks, the locomotor functions of the rats were detected by basso, beattie and bresnahan (BBB) score, then the means of immunohistochemistry were used to observe neurofilament(NF) and gl ial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP). And image analysis was used to measure the quantify of the nerve fiber and the fibers area ratio of astrocyte. Results The BBB scores were 2.40 ± 0.51 in control group, 3.00 ± 0.45 in treated group, showing no significant difference (P gt; 0.05). By immunohistochemistry: a l ittle positive NF cells and GFAP frame were found in control group; more positive NF cells and GFAP frame were found in treated group, the cells and frame grew toward the center but did not arrive at the center. Image analysis showed the amount of never fibers in treated group (rostral region: 113.10 ± 20.75, caudal region: 73.60 ± 33.61) was more than that in control group (rostral region: 45.50 ± 17.18, caudal region 23.50 ± 8.20), showing significant difference. The fibers area ratio of astrocyte in treated group(rostral region: 33.75% ± 11.06%, caudal region: 27.75% ± 7.15%) was more than that in control group(rostral region: 23.78% ± 5.76%, caudal region: 19.78% ± 5.17%), showing significant difference (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Fibrin glue can promote repair and regeneration of acute spinal cord injury.