Etanercept Prevents Histopathological Damage after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Spinal cord injury (SCI) triggers significant histopathological and biochemical changes.
• Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) plays a critical role in SCI pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the neuroprotective potential of etanercept (ETA), a TNF-α inhibitor, in a rat model of SCI.
• To assess the impact of ETA on histopathological and biochemical markers post-SCI.

Main Methods:

• A clip compression model induced SCI in 54 male Wistar albino rats.
• Rats were divided into sham, trauma, and ETA treatment groups (5 mg/kg ETA).
• Tissue and serum samples were analyzed for TNF-α, IL-1β, SOD, CAT, and MDA at 1, 6, and 24 hours post-injury.

Main Results:

• SCI induced significant alterations in serum and tissue cytokine and enzyme levels.
• ETA treatment effectively inhibited TNF-α and IL-1β expression.
• Etanercept administration led to increased levels of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT).

Conclusions:

• Early etanercept administration following SCI demonstrates significant neuroprotective effects.
• ETA attenuates neuronal injury by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β) and enhancing antioxidant defenses (SOD, CAT).