title: Comparison of inflammation in the brain and spinal cord following mechanical injury.
abstract: Inflammation in the CNS predominantly involves microglia and macrophages, and is believed to be a significant cause of secondary injury following trauma. This study compares the microglial and macrophage response in the rat brain and spinal cord following discrete mechanical injury to better appreciate the degree to which these cells could contribute to secondary damage in these areas. We find that, 1 week after injury, the microglial and macrophage response is significantly greater in the spinal cord compared to the brain. This is the case for injuries to both gray and white matter. In addition, we observed a greater inflammatory response in white matter compared to gray matter within both the brain and spinal cord. Because activated microglia and macrophages appear to be effectors of secondary damage, a greater degree of inflammation in the spinal cord is likely to result in more extensive secondary damage. Tissue saving strategies utilizing anti-inflammatory treatments may therefore be more useful in traumatic spinal cord than brain injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Batchelor
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Taryn E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Wills
authors.forename: Michelle J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Porritt
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Howells
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D039481:CD11b Antigen / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005911:Gliosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D017628:Microglia / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D009187:Myelitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D039481:CD11b Antigen; C509295:ITGAM protein, human; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents