Local application of collagen containing brain-derived neurotrophic factor decreases the loss of function after spinal cord injury in the adult rat.
We studied the effect of local application of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on functional recovery after dorsal spinal cord transection in the adult rat. BDNF was applied at the site of the lesion in rat tail collagen type I. Locomotion was measured for 4 weeks using the BBB locomotor rating scale. One day after injury and application of BDNF the performance of treated rats was significantly increased as compared to controls (BBB-score 11.5+/-1.3 (mean +/- SEM) and 7.5+/-1.3, respectively). This difference remained significant during the first week. Histological examination of the spared spinal cord tissue at the lesion centre 4 weeks after lesioning showed no significant difference between control and BDNF-treated animals. The results indicate that local application of BDNF results in a decreased loss of function in the partially transected rat spinal cord starting one day after injury.
Houweling
D A
DA
Laboratory for Experimental Neurology, Rudolf Magnus Institute for Neurosciences, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
van Asseldonk
J T
JT
Lankhorst
A J
AJ
Hamers
F P
FP
Martin
D
D
Bär
P R
PR
Joosten
E A
EA
D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D003094:Collagen