Effects of neuropeptide derivative FPF 1070 [cerebrolysin] administration on experimental acute spinal cord injury: a histological study

ABSTRACT

Cerebrolysin is a neuropeptide-derived synthetic preparation produced by enzymatic breakdown of lipid-free animal neuroproteins. It regulates the neuronal energy metabolism and is supposed to afford brain protection by its neurotrophic stimulation. The present study aimed at assessing the possible neuroprotective effects of Cerebrolysin on an experimentally induced spinal cord injury in dogs depending on clinical and histological bases. The experiment was conducted on 20 adult male dogs, which were divided among five groups A sham operated control group [subjected only to laminectomy of the midthoracic vertebrae], a positive control group [subjected to laminectomy with subsequent daily Cerebrolysin administration for 15 days], an acute spinal cord injury group [injury was induced by compression using an inflated balloon of the Folleyis catheter over the mid-thoracic spinal cord segments] and the animals were killed 24 hours after the surgery, a spinal cord injury group with subsequent daily administration of isotonic saline for 15 days and a spinal cord injury group with subsequent daily Cerebrolysin administration for 15 days. Clinical follow up of the experimental animals was daily recorded for 30 days, after which serial sections were prepared from the injured spinal cord segments of the different sacrificed groups. They were examined histologically by routine haematoxylin and eosin and by toluidine blue stains. The end results proved that Cerebrolysin achieved satisfactory protection to the nervous tissue. It prevented the setting in of degenerative changes in the majority of the anterior horn neurons of the injured spinal cord segments and subsequently its propagation in the axonal nerve fibers in the white matter. Therefore, Cerebrolysin administration was recommended as a successful treatment during the management of acute spinal cord injuries. It was also suggested that studies should be extended to investigate a possible similar effect in the case of human spinal cord injury as well as in chronic lesions