title: Chlorpromazine protects rat spinal cord against contusion injury.
abstract: The protective effect of chlorpromazine on rat spinal cord injury was investigated using a dynamic impact model. A 10 g weight was dropped 5 cm on an impounder placed on the exposed spinal cord at the T-11 level. Changes in potassium concentration on the epidural surface of the injured spinal cord were measured using a combined impounder-K+ electrode assembly. Recovery of motor performance was estimated using the modified Tarlov score. In the injury control (no treatment) group, the recovery was slow. Animals were still paralyzed 4 weeks after injury and none of them could walk; the Tarlov score was 1.88 +/- 0.78 (S.D.). In contrast, the chlorpromazine-treated group (20 mg/kg i.p. 30 min prior to injury) recovered significantly in 4 weeks. Animals could either support body weight or walk with some deficit; the Tarlov score was 4.0 +/- 0.35. Chlorpromazine inhibited potassium efflux from the spinal cord after contusion. Possible mechanisms of protection of neural cells by chlorpromazine are discussed.
authors: Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia.
authors: K K
authors: KK
authors: Sadanaga
authors: S T
authors: ST
authors: Ohnishi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001099:Arachnoid / Q000378:metabolism; D002746:Chlorpromazine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003288:Contusions / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009336:Necrosis; D010539:Permeability; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011188:Potassium; D002746:Chlorpromazine