Acrolein inflicts axonal membrane disruption and conduction loss in isolated guinea-pig spinal cord.
We have examined the effect of acrolein, an aldehyde product of lipid peroxidation, on axons in isolated guinea-pig spinal cord white matter. We found that 200 microM acrolein, but not 50 microM, induced a time-dependent loss of compound action potential conduction. Such conduction loss was irreversible within 1 h after acrolein perfusion. Parallel anatomical assessment indicates membrane integrity breakdown based on a horseradish peroxidase-exclusion assay. This is the first report to suggest that acrolein inflicts severe axonal damage. Since axonal damage within white matter plays a key role in the pathology of traumatic spinal cord injury, we suggest that acrolein may be a critical factor in mediating secondary functional loss.
Shi
R
R
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Center for Paralysis Research, Institute for Applied Neurology, Purdue University, , West Lafayette, IN 47907-1244, USA. riyi@vet.purdue.edu
Luo
J
J
Peasley
M
M
D000171:Acrolein / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism
D000171:Acrolein