Efficacy and vasodilatory benefit of magnesium prophylaxis for protection against spinal cord ischemia

Prevention of paraplegia remains an imperative issue in thoracoabdominal aortic surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a prophylactic magnesium infusion in a rat spinal cord ischemia model and to demonstrate spinal blood flow increase caused by the infusion. The study was conducted in two parts. Firstly, the neuroprotective effect of magnesium was assessed using a rat model with two different ischemic times: 10 min and 14 min. Spinal cord ischemia was induced by occlusion of the descending aorta. Rats in the treatment group were given a 100 mg/kg magnesium sulfate infusion before ischemia. Secondly, relative changes in spinal cord blood flow before and during ischemia were recorded using the laser Doppler flowmetry technique. Changes in blood flow were compared between the magnesium and control groups. Rats pretreated with magnesium showed good overall recovery after both 10 min (incidence of paraplegia 62.5% control vs. 37.5% Mg, n = 8 each) and 14 min (85.7% control vs. 57.1% Mg, n = 7 each) of ischemia, although the differences compared with controls were statistically insignificant. However, the magnesium group showed significantly better neurological performance during the early postischemic period. Comparison of changes in spinal circulation revealed less reduction in blood flow during ischemia in the magnesium-treated group. In conclusion, magnesium may have potential prophylactic benefits during ischemia by exerting a neuroprotective effect through vasodilation of the spinal cord vasculature. To our knowledge, this vasodilatory effect on the spinal cord has not previously been investigated. Optimization of the treatment regimen, however, is required.