Effects of a novel tripeptide on neurological outcomes after spinal cord injury.
A biologically active tripeptide [phenylalanine glutamate glycine (feG)] derived from the submandibular gland has anti-inflammatory actions. We have shown that intravenous treatment with feG after spinal cord injury decreases the intraspinal infiltration of leukocytes and associated oxidative damage within 72 h after injury. The present study assessed effects of this treatment on chronic neurological outcomes after clip-compression spinal cord injury at the 12th thoracic segment. Locomotor scores of feG-treated rats were significantly higher than those of controls at 7 weeks after spinal cord injury. Treated rats had significantly less hind paw mechanical allodynia than controls at this time. In conclusion, the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative actions of feG treatment correlate with improved neurological outcomes after spinal cord injury.
John
Sunil M
SM
Spinal Cord Injury Team, BioTherapeutics Research Group, Robarts Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.
Bao
Feng
F
Chen
Yuhua
Y
Mathison
Ronald D
RD
Weaver
Lynne C
LC
D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009479:Neuropeptides; D009842:Oligopeptides; C114891:tripeptide FEG