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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
A Contusive Model of Unilateral Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Using the Infinite Horizon Impactor
Published on: July 24, 2012
Neuroprotective effects of Ac.YVAD.cmk on experimental spinal cord injury in rats
Alper Karaoğlan1, Ekrem Kaya, Osman Akdemir
1Clinic of Neurosurgery, Taksim Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Background:
Apoptosis as a cell death mechanism is important in numerous diseases, including traumatic SCI. We evaluated the neuroprotective effects of Ac.YVAD.cmk and functional outcomes in a rat SCI model.
Methods:
Thirty rats were randomized into 3 groups of 10: sham-operated, trauma only, and trauma plus Ac.YVAD.cmk treatment. Trauma was produced in the thoracic region by a weight-drop technique. Group 3 rats received Ac.YVAD.cmk (1 mg/kg, ip) 1 minute after trauma. The rats were killed at 24 hours and 5 days after injury. Efficacy was evaluated with light microscopy and TUNEL staining. Functional outcomes were assessed with the inclined plane technique and a modified version of the Tarlov grading system.
Results:
At 24 hours postinjury, the respective mean number of apoptotic cells in groups 1, 2, and 3 were 0, 5.26 +/- 0.19, and 0.97 +/- 0.15. Microscopic examination of group 2 tissues showed widespread hemorrhage, edema, necrosis, and polymorphic nuclear leukocyte infiltration and vascular thrombi. Group 3 tissues revealed similar features, but cavitation and demyelination were less prominent than those in group 2 samples at this period. At 5 days postinjury, the respective mean inclined plane angles in groups 1, 2, and 3 were 65.5 +/- 2.09, 42.00 +/- 2.74, and 52.5 +/- 1.77. Motor grading of animals revealed a similar trend. These differences were statistically significant (P < .05).
Conclusions:
Ac.YVAD.cmk inhibited posttraumatic apoptosis in a rat SCI model. This may provide the basis for development of new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of SCI.
