Effect of immunomodulation with human interferon-beta on early functional recovery from experimental spinal cord injury.
METHODS
Electron and light microscopic changes, neutrophil infiltration, and lipid peroxidation in the spinal cord and early neurologic examination were studied in rats.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of immunomodulator treatment with recombinant human interferon-beta after spinal cord contusion injury.


BACKGROUND
Immunomodulator treatment with interferon-beta has been the subject of extensive studies, but mainly in relation to multiple sclerosis. Recently, it was reported that interferon-beta possessed significant neuroprotection after experimental transient ischemic stroke. However, to our knowledge, there have been no previous reports about the neuroprotective effect of interferon-beta after spinal cord injury.


METHODS
Rats were randomly allocated into 5 groups. Group 1 was control and after clinical examination, normal spinal cord samples were obtained. Group 2 was introduced 50 g/cm contusion injury. Group 3 was vehicle, immediately after trauma 1 mL of physiologic saline was injected. Group 4 was given 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone sodium succinate intraperitoneally immediately after trauma. Group 5 was given 1 x 10(7) IU interferon-beta immediately and 0.5 x 10(7) IU interferon-beta 4 hours after trauma. Animals were examined by inclined plane and Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scale 24 hours after trauma. Spinal cord samples obtained following clinical evaluations. Neutrophil infiltration was evaluated by myeloperoxidase activity and lipid peroxidation was estimated by thiobarbituric acid test. Electron and light microscopic results were also performed to determine the effects of interferon-beta on tissue structure.


RESULTS
Interferon-beta treatment improved neurologic outcome, which was supported by decreased myeloperoxidase activity and lipid peroxidation. Electron and light microscopic results also showed preservation of tissue structure in the treatment group.


CONCLUSIONS
Immunomodulator treatment with interferon-beta possesses obvious neuroprotection after acute contusion injury to the rat spinal cord.
Gok
Beril
B
Department of Neurological Surgery, Ankara Ataturk Research and Education Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. berylgok@gmail.com
Okutan
Ozerk
O
Beskonakli
Etem
E
Palaoglu
Selcuk
S
Erdamar
Husamettin
H
Sargon
Mustafa F
MF
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
D007155:Immunologic Factors; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D016899:Interferon-beta; D009195:Peroxidase