The effects of recombinant human erythropoietin on thoracic acute spinal cord compressive injury in rats: delayed treatment / 实用医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the neuroprotection of delayed treatment of thoracic acute spinal cord injury with recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) in rat model of compressive injury. Methods Sixteen adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups control group (compressive injury group) and experimental group (rhEPO group), In the compressive injury group,the animals recived 0.9% saline treatment at 2 h, day 1 and day 3 after the injury, while in the rhEPO group, rhEPO (3 000 U/kg) was given to rats at 2 h, day 1 and day 3 after the injury. All the rats were observed in 4 days after the injury. The primary outcomes were evaluated by BBB scale, apoptotic index, inflammatory index and electron microscopy. Results Delayed treatment of thoracic acute spinal cord injury with rhEPO could reduce apoptosis, regulate inflammation, improve motor function and promote regeneration of the spinal cord. Conclusion Our study suggests that delayed treatment of thoracic spinal cord compressive injury with rhEPO could exert neuroprotection.