Objective To investigate the effect of curcumin on calcitionin gene related peptide (CGRP) expression after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Methods A total of 200 rats, weighing 250-300 g, were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=50): sham-operation group, normal saline (NS) group, low-dose curcumin group (30 mg/kg), and high-dose curcumin group (100 mg/kg). In sham-operation group, only vertebral lamina excision was performed without SCI; the SCI model was established in the other 3 groups. At immediate after modeling, 30 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg curcumin were injected intraperitoneally in 2 curcumin groups, equivalent NS was given in NS group (30 mg/kg), but no treatment in sham-operation group. At 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after operation, the motor neural function was evaluated by the inclined plane test and Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scores; immunohistochemical staining and Western blot assay were used to observe CGRP expression. Results BBB score and inclined plane test score of NS group, low-dose curcumin group, and high-dose curcumin group were significantly lower than those of sham-operation group at each time point (P lt; 0.05). BBB score of low-dose curcumin group and high-dose curcumin group was significantly higher than that of NS group at 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after SCI (P lt; 0.05), and the score of high-dose group was significantly higher than that of low-dose curcumin group at 7, 14, and 21 days after SCI (P lt; 0.05). Inclined plane test score of low-dose curcumin group and high-dose curcumin group was significantly higher than that of NS group at 7, 14, and 21 days after SCI (P lt; 0.05), and the score of high-dose curcumin group was significantly higher than that of low-dose curcumin group at 7, 14, and 21 days after SCI (P lt; 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining results showed that the CGRP positive cells of sham-operation group was significantly more than those of the other 3 groups, and the CGRP positive cells of high-dose curcumin group were significantly more than those of low-dose curcumin group at each time point (P lt; 0.05); the CGRP positive cells of low- and high-dose curcumin groups were significantly more than those of NS group at 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after SCI (P lt; 0.05). Western blot assay results showed that the CGRP protein expressed at each time point after SCI in sham-operation group; the CGRP protein expression gradually decrease with time passing in NS group; but the CGRP protein expression gradually increased with time passing in low- and high-dose curcumin groups, and reached the peak at 14 days, then maintained a high level. Conclusion After SCI in rats, 30 mg/kg curcumin can improve rats’ motor function, and 100 mg/kg curcumin effect is more obvious, especially in promoting the expression of CGRP. That may be the mechanism of protection of the nervous system.
Objective To investigate the effect of chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) on the expression of growth associated protein 43 (GAP-43) and gl ial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Methods A total of 150 adult female SD rats, weighing 250-300 g, were randomly divided into ChABC treatment group (group A), sal ine treatment group (group B), and sham operation group (group C) with 50 rats in each group. In groups A and B, the rats were made the SCI models and were treated by subarachnoid injection of ChABC and sal ine; in group C, the rats were not treated as a control. At 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after operation, the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) score system was used toevaluate the motion function, and immunofluorescent histochemical staining was used to observe the expressions of GAP-43 and GFAP. Results At different time points, the BBB scores of groups A and B were significantly lower than those of group C (P lt; 0.05); there was no significant difference in BBB score between groups A and B after 1, 3, and 7 days of operation (P gt; 0.05), but the BBB score of group A was significantly higher than that of group B after 14 and 21 days of operation (P lt; 0.01). At different time points, the GAP-43 and GFAP positive neurons of groups A and B were significantly higher than those of group C (P lt; 0.05). After 14 and 21 days of operation, the GAP-43 positive neurons of group A were more than those of group B (P lt; 0.01). After 7, 14, and 21 days of operation, the GFAP positive neurons of group A were significantly less than those of group B (P lt; 0.01). Conclusion ChABC can degrade gl ial scar, improve the microenvironment of the injured region and enhance the expression of GAP-43, which promotes axonal growth and extension.
Objective To investigate the effect of chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) on the expression of growth associated protein 43 (GAP-43) and gl ial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Methods A total of 150 adult female SD rats, weighing 250-300 g, were randomly divided into ChABC treatment group (group A), sal ine treatment group (group B), and sham operation group (group C) with 50 rats in each group. In groups A and B, the rats were made the SCI models and were treated by subarachnoid injection of ChABC and sal ine; in group C, the rats were not treated as a control. At 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after operation, the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) score system was used toevaluate the motion function, and immunofluorescent histochemical staining was used to observe the expressions of GAP-43 and GFAP. Results At different time points, the BBB scores of groups A and B were significantly lower than those of group C (P lt; 0.05); there was no significant difference in BBB score between groups A and B after 1, 3, and 7 days of operation (P gt; 0.05), but the BBB score of group A was significantly higher than that of group B after 14 and 21 days of operation (P lt; 0.01). At different time points, the GAP-43 and GFAP positive neurons of groups A and B were significantly higher than those of group C (P lt; 0.05). After 14 and 21 days of operation, the GAP-43 positive neurons of group A were more than those of group B (P lt; 0.01). After 7, 14, and 21 days of operation, the GFAP positive neurons of group A were significantly less than those of group B (P lt; 0.01). Conclusion ChABC can degrade gl ial scar, improve the microenvironment of the injured region and enhance the expression of GAP-43, which promotes axonal growth and extension.