Antiapoptotic and neuroprotective effects of mycophenolate   mofetil after acute spinal cord injury in young rats.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate the possible beneficial effects of mycophenolate mofetil in comparison with methylprednisolone in an experimental model of spinal cord injury in young rats.


METHODS
Young female Wistar albino rats weighing 100-120 g were used in this study. The animals were anesthetized, the paravertebral muscles were dissected to expose thoracic spinal nerve 7 (T7)-T11 vertebrae, and the spinal cord was exposed at T8-T10 levels by laminectomy with the assistance of a surgical microscope. Weight-drop trauma model was used to perform spinal cord trauma. The animals were subjected to an impact of 50 g/cm to the dorsal surface of the spinal cord. The animals were divided into six groups, and all the groups include 12 animals. Group 1 laminectomy, group 2 laminectomy+ trauma, group 3 was treated with mycophenolate mofetil, group 4 was treated with methylprednisolone, group 5 was treated with mycophenolate mofetil+methylprednisolone, and group 6 served as a vehicle. Immediately after the trauma, 25 mg/kg mycophenolate mofetil (to group 3 and 5) and 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone (to group 4 and 5) were given in a single dose. Biochemical, behavioral, pathological, and immunohistochemical analysis were done.


RESULTS
Significant decrease in the number of apoptotic cells were detected in the lesion zone 24 h after the spinal cord injury with the mycophenolate mofetil treatment group. Histologic and functional recovery was also significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results showed that the administration of mycophenolate mofetil on traumatic spinal cord injury decreases apoptosis and improves neurologic recovery.
Bilginer
Burcak
B
Department of Neurosurgery, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. burcak@tr.net
Onal
Mehmet Bulent
MB
Narin
Firat
F
Ustun
Huseyin
H
Kilinc
Kamer
K
Akalan
Nejat
N
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007796:Laminectomy; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D050050:Protein Carbonylation / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D008775:Methylprednisolone