A Novel Acute Discogenic Myelopathy Model Using Merocel^® Sponge: Comparison With Clip Compression Model in Rats.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Spinal cord injury (SCI) research often utilizes rat models to mimic human injuries.
• Clip compression is a common method for creating SCI models, but may not accurately reflect discogenic injury mechanisms.
• A novel rat SCI model using Merocel®, a water-absorbing polymer sponge, has been developed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare locomotor and histopathological outcomes between a Merocel®-compression (MC) model and a clip compression model of SCI in rats.
• To evaluate the efficacy of the MC model in representing discogenic incomplete SCI.

Main Methods:

• Four groups of rats were used: MC (n=30), MC-sham (n=5), clip (n=30), and clip-sham (n=5).
• Locomotor function was assessed using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scoring system over 4 weeks.
• Histopathological analyses included morphology, inflammation, microglial activation, and neuronal damage.

Main Results:

• The MC group demonstrated significantly higher BBB scores than the clip group throughout the 4-week study period (p<0.01).
• Neuropathological changes were significantly less severe in the MC group compared to the clip group.
• Motor neurons in the ventral horn were better preserved in the MC group than in the clip group.

Conclusions:

• The Merocel®-compression model provides a valuable tool for studying acute discogenic incomplete spinal cord injuries.
• This novel model may aid in the development of therapeutic strategies for SCI.