Effect of oleuropein on tissue myeloperoxidase activity in experimental spinal cord trauma

ABSTRACT

Neutrophil infiltration plays an important role in inflammatory reactions following spinal cord injury [SCI] and these cells cause substantial secondary tissue damage. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of oleuropein [OE] on myeloperoxidase [MPO] activity as an index of neutrophil infiltration. Rats were randomly divided into four groups of 7 rats each as follows sham-operated group, trauma group, and OE treatment groups [20 mg/kg, i.p., immediately and 1 hour after SCI]. Spinal cord samples were taken 24 hours after injury and studied for determination of MPO activity. The results showed that MPO activity was significantly decreased in OE-treated rats. On the basis of our findings, we propose that OE may be effective in protecting rat spinal cord from secondary damage by modulating of neutrophil infiltration