ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the effect of docosahexaenoic acid(DHA)on the neuro-logical outcome as well as the expression of interleukin-1β,interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 after acute spinal cord injury(SCI).Methods One hundred and eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a spinal cord injury group(group A),a DHA treatment group(group B)and a sham operation group(group C),each with 36 rats.SCI models were established in the rats of groups A and B using a version of Allen's weight drop method(T10 level).Group C had removal of the lamina only.Ten minutes later,group A was injected with 5% ethanol in saline(the MT solvent)and group B with 500 mg/kg of DHA preparation.Basso beattie bresnahan locomotor rating scale(BBB)was used to detect locomotors function at 10,24,48 and 72 hours after operation.Rats were sacrificed at 72 h after operation,IL-1β,IL-6 and IL-10 levels in serum were detected in 6 rats of each group.Results BBB locomotor rating scale indicated that hindlimb motor function in Groups B was higher than that in Group A at 10,24,48 and 72 hours after operation.There was a significant difference in locomotor rating score between DHA injection group and control group(P<0.05).The specimens of group A showed inflammatory reaction and ulceration at 72 h:Group C showed the highest levels of IL-10 in serum ,while Group A showed the lowest level.The differences were statistically significant.Group A had the highest levels of IL-1β and IL-6 while group C had the lowest.The difference between group B and groups A and C was significant.Conclusion DHA could play protective role by balancing the reconstruction of the anti-inflammatory response and inflammation in rats with acute spinal cord injury.