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Published on: March 24, 2020
Effects of magnesium sulphate following spinal cord injury in rats
Beril Gok1, Ozerk Okutan, Etem Beskonakli
1Department of Neurological Surgery, Ankara Ataturk Research and Education Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. berylgok@gmail.com
Abstract:
Neutrophil infiltration has been implicated in the secondary destructive pathomechanisms after initial mechanical injury to the spinal cord. Tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity has been shown to be an exclusive indicator of the extent of post-traumatic neutrophil infiltration. We have studied the effect of magnesium sulphate on MPO activity after spinal cord injury in rats. Rats were randomly allocated into 5 groups. Group 1 was control and normal spinal cord samples were obtained after clinical examination. Forty g-cm contusion injury was introduced to Group 2. Group 3 was vehicle, 1 ml of physiological saline was injected post-trauma. Group 4 was given 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) immediately after trauma. Group 5 was given 600 mg/kg magnesium sulphate immediately after trauma. Animals were examined by inclined plane technique of Rivlin and Tator 24 h after trauma. Spinal cord samples obtained following clinical evaluations. Magnesium sulphate treatment improved early functional scores and decreased MPO activity. These findings revealed that magnesium sulphate treatment possesses neuroprotection on early clinical results and on neutrophil infiltration after acute contusion injury to the rat spinal cord.
Insights
Magnesium sulphate treatment improved functional outcomes and reduced neutrophil infiltration after spinal cord injury in rats. This neuroprotective effect was observed in early clinical results and myeloperoxidase activity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Traumatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Neutrophil infiltration contributes to secondary damage following spinal cord injury.
- Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity serves as a key indicator of neutrophil infiltration post-trauma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroprotective effects of magnesium sulphate on spinal cord injury in a rat model.
- To assess the impact of magnesium sulphate on neutrophil infiltration by measuring MPO activity.
Main Methods:
- Rats with induced spinal cord contusion injury were divided into five groups: control, injury only, vehicle, methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS), and magnesium sulphate.
- Functional recovery was evaluated using the inclined plane technique 24 hours post-injury.
- Spinal cord tissue was analyzed for myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity to quantify neutrophil infiltration.
Main Results:
- Magnesium sulphate treatment significantly improved early functional scores in rats with spinal cord injury.
- Treatment with magnesium sulphate led to a notable decrease in MPO activity, indicating reduced neutrophil infiltration.
- Methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) also demonstrated positive effects, though magnesium sulphate showed significant neuroprotection.
Conclusions:
- Magnesium sulphate exhibits neuroprotective properties in the acute phase of spinal cord injury.
- The treatment effectively mitigates secondary damage by reducing neutrophil infiltration.
- Magnesium sulphate represents a potential therapeutic agent for managing acute spinal cord injury.
