The combined effect of iloprost and N-acetylcysteine in preventing spinal cord ischemia in rabbits.
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.
Boga
M
M
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Medical Faculty, Adnan Menderes University, 09100 Aydin, Turkey. mboga@adu.edu.tr
Discigil
B
B
Ozkisacik
E A
EA
Gurcun
U
U
Badak
M I
MI
Dikicioglu
E
E
Yenisey
C
C
Meteoglu
I
I
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*
D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; D016285:Iloprost; D000111:Acetylcysteine