Protective effect of interleukin-3 and erythropoietin on motor neuron death after neonatal axotomy

Several members of hematopoietic factors are known to have neuroprotective effects against axotomized motor neuron death. We carried out a study to determine whether interleukin-3 (IL-3) and erythropoietin (EPO) rescue spinal motor neuron death following axotomy. Unilateral sciatic nerve was transected in neonatal rats. Different doses of IL-3, EPO, or vehicle were administered daily for two weeks by intraperitoneal injection. After treatment, the number of spinal motor neurons was determined at the level of L4 segment In comparison with vehicle, both IL-3 (10 microg kg(-1)) and EPO (5.0 mg kg(-1)) significantly prevented the loss of motor neurons. Protective potentials is the same between them. These results suggest that IL-3 and EPO play a role for motor neuron survival in vivo and suggest the potential use of these hematopoietic factors in treating diseases that involve degeneration and death of motor neurons, such as motor neuropathy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.