Changes of intracellular calcium and the correlation with functional damage of the spinal cord after spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
To observe dynamic changes of intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)]i) after spinal cord injury, and to study the relationship between the changes of [Ca(2+)]i and the functional damage of the spinal cord.


METHODS
The rats were subjected to a spinal cord contusion by using a modified Allen's method. The [Ca(2+)]i in the injured segment of the spinal cord was measured by the technique of La(3+) blockage and atomic absorption spectroscopy at 1, 4, 8, 24, 72, and 168 hours after injury. The motor function on the inclined plane was measured at the same time.


RESULTS
The spinal cord [Ca(2+)]i increased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01) aft er spinal cord injury. There was a significant correlation (P<0.05) between the changes of [Ca(2+)]i and the motor function.


CONCLUSIONS
[Ca(2+)]i overload may play an important role in the pathogenesis of spinal cord injury.
Zhang
Yadong
Y
Department of Orthopedics, 304th Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100037, China. yadong@public3.bta.net.cn
Hou
Shuxun
S
Wu
Ye
Y
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology
D002118:Calcium