Effect of ferulate-heparin-poloxamer thermosensitive hydrogels on nerve regeneration in rats with spinal cord injury / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

Aim To investigate the effect of ferulate-heparin-poloxamer (SF-HP) thermosensitive hydrogels on nerve regeneration in ratswith spinal cord injury, and provide experimental basis for clinical application. Methods SD rats were randomly divided into five groups sham group, SCI group, SCI + HP group, SCI + SF group and SCI + SF-HP group. Rats were performed moderate contusion injuries using a vascular clip for 2 min to establish SCI animal model, then rats were given BBB score and inclined plate scoring function test after SCI. BDA tracing was employed to observe the recovery of nerve conduction function. Moreover, immunohistochemical staining and Western blot-were used to measure GAP43, Nestin and GFAP levels. Results BBB score and inclined plane test score significantly increased in SF-HP treated group as compared with the model group (P < 0. 01). Staining data showed that the structure of spinal cord was void, and this phenomenon was reversed after SF-HP administration. Data showed that the level of GAP43 and Nestin increased after SF treatment (P < 0. 05), the expression of GFAP decreased (P <0. 05), and the treatment effect of SF-HP hydrogels were better than those of SF alone (P < 0. 0 5) . BDA tracing data showed that the number of positive neurons markedly increased and the repair of nerve conduction function was significantly improved in SF-HP hydrogel group compared with SF group. Conclusion HP hydrogels enhance the effect of SF on the nerve regeneration in damaged spinal cord in rats.