Alleviation of axonal damage in acute spinal cord injury by a protease inhibitor: automated morphometric analysis of drug-effects.
The degenerating axons and axon terminals developed in Rexed's lamina VIII in the anterior horn of the L6 segment after acute spinal cord compression at Th11 level in rats were visualized by the method of Fink-Heimer and the extent of axonal damage was quantitatively assayed with the aid of an automated image analyzer. Leupeptin, a potent protease inhibitor, substantially reduced the extent of the axonal damage (17% on average).
D000818:Animals; D007976:Leupeptins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
D007976:Leupeptins; D009842:Oligopeptides; C032854:leupeptin