title: The neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of diltiazem in spinal cord ischaemia-reperfusion injury.
abstract: The protective effects of diltiazem were examined in a rabbit model of spinal cord ischaemia-reperfusion induced by infrarenal aortic occlusion for 30 min. In the diltiazem group (n = 6), an intravenous infusion (2 microg/kg per min) was started 10 min before ischaemia induction; normal saline solution was infused in the control group (n = 6). Neurological function was assessed using modified Tarlov criteria 24 h after surgery. Plasma samples were analysed for interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10. Spinal tissue was analysed for malondialdehyde, nitric oxide and reduced glutathione activities. Tarlov scores of the diltiazem-treated rabbits indicated significantly improved hind-limb motor function compared with the control group. The diltiazem group also had better quantitative and qualitative histopathological findings. Diltiazem infusion significantly reduced IL-6 levels 3 and 24 h after reperfusion compared with the control group. The mean IL-10 level in the diltiazem group was significantly higher than in the control group 24 h after reperfusion. It is concluded that diltiazem has cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, leading to reduced spinal cord injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Mustafa Kemal University, Antakya/Hatay, Turkey. iyadfansa@yahoo.com
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fansa
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Altug
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Melek
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ucar
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kontas
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Akcora
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Atik
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Duman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004110:Diltiazem / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020760:Spinal Cord Ischemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015850:Interleukin-6; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D016753:Interleukin-10; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D004110:Diltiazem; D005978:Glutathione