Charybdotoxin improves motor recovery of the rat after spinal cord injury.
Charybdotoxin, a highly specific inhibitor of calcium-activated potassium efflux, was found to protect rat spinal cord against dynamic impact injury. In a control (nontreated) group, a weight drop of 10 gram X 5 cm on the T-11 segment of the rat spinal cord paralyzed hindlimbs, and recovery was slow. After 4 weeks, Tarlov scores (a behavioral index) were 1 to 2; the hind legs could not support body weight. In contrast, with animals pretreated 30 minutes prior to the injury by 0.12 mg charybdotoxin/kg (IP), Tarlov scores increased to 3.5-4.5 by three weeks after injury; animals could walk with some deficit. A possible mechanism for the protective effect of this drug is discussed.
Ohnishi
S T
ST
Membrane Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Barr
J K
JK
Sadanaga
K K
KK
Katagi
C
C
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D018999:Charybdotoxin; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012604:Scorpion Venoms / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*
D015221:Potassium Channels; D012604:Scorpion Venoms; D018999:Charybdotoxin; D002118:Calcium