title: The combined effect of iloprost and N-acetylcysteine in preventing spinal cord ischemia in rabbits.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the cytoprotective effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and iloprost on spinal cord ischemia in an experimental model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five (male) New Zealand white rabbits were included in five study groups (n=7, each group). One group served as Sham. Rabbits in other groups had their abdominal aorta cross-clamped just above the iliac bifurcation for 40 min. During aortic cross clamping, iloprost, NAC, both iloprost and NAC or saline (control) were infused.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In NAC, iloprost, and iloprost+NAC groups, neurological status of rabbits (Tarlov score) 24 and 48 h after the operation was better than the control group (p<0.01), but worse than the Sham group (p<0.01). There was minimal neuronal damage in the iloprost treated groups compared to the NAC group (p<0.05). Mean viability index values in NAC, iloprost and iloprost+NAC groups were higher than the control group (p<0.01). Viability index in the NAC group was lower than the iloprost and iloprost+NAC groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of iloprost and NAC may provide better protection from spinal cord ischemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Medical Faculty, Adnan Menderes University, 09100 Aydin, Turkey. mboga@adu.edu.tr
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boga
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Discigil
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Ozkisacik
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gurcun
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Badak
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dikicioglu
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yenisey
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Meteoglu
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D019610:Cytoprotection; D016285:Iloprost / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000097:blood; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; D016285:Iloprost; D000111:Acetylcysteine