Spinal cord transection in a spinal cord injury model established using accurate micrological technique / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Diffusion tensor imaging is a common technique applied for clinical studies of the brain, but it is rarely used for the diagnosis or prognosis of spinal cord injury. OBJECTIVE: To establish a rat model of spinal cord injury using micrological techniques, and to evaluate spinal cord transection with diffusion tensor imaging technology, thus providing a good animal model for further intervention. METHODS: Twelve healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were applied to establish spinal cord injury models using precise microscopic techniques, and another six rats in the sham operated group served as controls. Spinal cord transection of experimental rats after modeling was observed using diffusion tensor imaging. Motor evoked potentials and somatosensory evoked potentials were used to detect electrical physiological changes of rats.Neurological function changes of rats were evaluated using slope experiments and Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan scores. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After experimental rats regained consciousness, their lower extremities exhibited complete paralysis, the tails cannot swing, accompanying urinary retention. Diffusion tensor imaging displayed the T10 segment of spinal cord was completely transected. Motor and sensory evoked potential waveform were not drawn compared than control group. At 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks after operation, the test angle of slope experiments was less than 30° and Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan score was less than 10 points; as the time prolonged, lower limb irritating reflections of some rats were visible, but no initiative functional activity was found, local spinal cord structure were severely damaged. Precise microscopic techniques can successfully establish spinal cord injury model in rats, and diffusion tension imaging clearly visualizes the complete transection of the T10 spinal cord.