Neuroprotective effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction on spinal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine formula, on spinal ischemia/reperfusion injury and explore the possible mechanism of the protective effect.


METHODS
The spinal ischemia/reperfusion injury model was conducted in male Sprague-Dawley rats, and 40 g/kg Buyang Huanwu Decoction was administered by introgastric infusion. Motor function of hind limbs and apoptosis index were measured 72 h after reperfusion was started. The expression of thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase was examined at 6h and at 24h after reperfusion.


RESULTS
Motor function scores and apoptosis indices were significantly improved in the Buyang Huanwu Decoction group, as compared to the saline-infused control group. Spinal ischemia/reperfusion injury resulted in a decrease in the expression of thioredoxin, while Buyang Huanwu Decoction administration greatly elevated the expression of thioredoxin-1/thioredoxin-2 mRNA and thioredoxin reductase-1/thioredoxin reductase-2 mRNA.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that administration of Buyang Huanwu Decoction may reduce spinal ischemia/reperfusion damage. This neuroprotective effect may be mediated, in part, by an increase in the transcription of thioredoxin.
Wang
Lei
L
Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, #1 Youyi Rd, Chongqing 400016, China. wlei 78@yahoo.com.cn
Jiang
Dian-Ming
DM
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019684:Magnoliopsida; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D020760:Spinal Cord Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D013880:Thioredoxin-Disulfide Reductase / Q000378:metabolism; D013879:Thioredoxins / Q000378:metabolism
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C460102:buyang huanwu; D013879:Thioredoxins; D013880:Thioredoxin-Disulfide Reductase