Transection method for shortening the rat spine and spinal cord

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Regenerative Medicine
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Previous spinal cord transection models lacked certainty regarding completeness.
• Axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI) is a significant challenge.
• Understanding complete SCI is vital for developing effective therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a reliable rat model for complete spinal cord transection.
• To investigate axonal regeneration in a chronic SCI setting.
• To provide a platform for testing future SCI interventions.

Main Methods:

• A novel surgical technique was employed to remove a 4mm segment of the thoracic spinal cord (Th8) in adult female Wistar rats.
• Vertebral segments (Th7/8 and Th8/9 discs) were cut, and ribs were used to approximate spinal cord stumps.
• Histological analysis examined spinal fusion, canal reconstitution, and tissue at the connection site.

Main Results:

• The surgical model achieved complete spinal cord transection with high survival rates.
• Bone fusion and spinal alignment were successful, with no signs of infection.
• Microscopy revealed scar tissue and cavitation at the connection site, inhibiting axonal regeneration.

Conclusions:

• The developed model provides a definitive method for studying complete spinal cord transection in rats.
• Axonal regeneration was not observed across the transected site due to inhibitory factors like glial scar tissue and cavitation.
• This model is valuable for future research into chronic SCI and strategies to promote axonal regeneration.