Effect of Lycopene on Expression of Interleukin-6 and Recovery of Neurological Function in Rats after Spinal Cord Injury / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

@#Objective To explore the effects of lycopene on interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression and motor function after spinal cord injury in rats. Methods 36 healthy adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group (A), methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MP) treatment group (B) and lycopene treatment group (C) with 12 rats in each group, and spinal cord injury model at T9 was established with modified Allen's technique (10 g×25 mm). 30 minutes after modeling, group A received no treatment, group B was injected MP 30 mg/ kg, group C was given lycopene 20 mg/kg. They were tested with inclined plate test 1 day, 3 days and 7 days after injury. The expression of IL-6 was examined with immunohistochemistry, then. Results The inclined plate test scores were higher in the group C than in the group A 1 day and 7 days after injury (P<0.05), and in the group B than in the group A 1 day, 3 days and 7 days after injury (P<0.05). The expression of IL-6 was significantly lower in the groups B and C than in the group A 1 day, 3 days, 7 days after injury (P<0.001). Conclusion Lycopene can inhibit the expression of IL-6 in acute spinal cord injury to reduce the inflammation and facilitate the recovery of nerve and motor function.