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Calcium-induced spongiform and necrotizing myelopathy
Laboratory Investigation; a Journal of Technical Methods and Pathology
|September 1, 1982
Summary
Direct calcium application to the spinal cord caused paraplegia and necrosis in rats. This supports the hypothesis that calcium influx contributes to nerve fiber degeneration after spinal cord injury.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pathology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Axonal calcification is observed in spinal cord trauma.
- Calcium influx is hypothesized to cause nerve fiber degeneration via enzyme activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of direct calcium influx on non-traumatized spinal cord tissue.
- To evaluate the role of calcium in nerve damage.
Main Methods:
- Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats received topical application of 10% calcium chloride solution (pH 7.4) to the dorsal spinal cord.
- Control groups received sodium chloride, magnesium chloride, or potassium chloride solutions.
- Sham-operated and normal animals served as additional controls.
- Histochemical analysis was used to detect calcium deposition.
Main Results:
- Rats treated with calcium chloride developed paraplegia within 24 hours.
- Spinal cord lesions showed spongiosis and necrosis, particularly in posterior and lateral columns and posterior horns.
- Calcium was detected histochemically in necrotic areas.
- Gray matter was relatively spared.
Conclusions:
- Direct calcium application induces paraplegia and spinal cord necrosis in rats.
- Findings support the calcium-mediated hypothesis of nerve fiber degeneration in spinal cord injury.
- The study elucidates a potential mechanism of calcium-induced neurotoxicity.