Effects of iloprost and piracetam in spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rabbit.
METHODS
Experimental Study.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of iloprost and piracetam on spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the rabbit.


METHODS
The Experimental Research Center of Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey.


METHODS
A total of 24 rabbits were divided into four groups of six rabbits each, as follows: group 1 (n = 6) sham, laparotomy only; group 2 (n = 6) I/R; group 3 (n = 6) I/R+iloprost; and group 4 (n = 6) I/R+piracetam. I/R was established in groups 2, 3 and 4. Subsequently, they were followed up neurologically for 24 h until the rabbits were killed; biochemical and histopathological examinations of samples from the spinal cord were carried out.


RESULTS
Neurological examination results were significantly better in the iloprost and piracetam groups compared with the I/R group (P < 0.05). Neuroprotection was achieved with iloprost and piracetam by suppressing malondialdehyde (P < 0.05), increasing glutathione peroxidase activity (P < 0.05) and decreasing the xanthine oxidase level. In histopathological assessment, iloprost and piracetam groups were statistically different from the I/R group in terms of the number of apoptotic neurons in gray matter and white matter, as well as in terms of degenerated neurons and glial cells (P < 0.05). No statistical difference was determined between the four groups in the number of degenerated glial cells (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This study has shown that iloprost and piracetam have neuroprotective effects in I/R injury both neurologically and histopathologically because of inhibition of lipid peroxidation.
Kalkan
E
E
Department of Neurosurgery, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey. drekalkan@selcuk.edu.tr
Keskin
F
F
Kaya
B
B
Esen
H
H
Tosun
M
M
Kalkan
S S
SS
Erdi
F
F
Unlü
A
A
Avunduk
M C
MC
Cicek
O
O
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016285:Iloprost / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D010889:Piracetam / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011817:Rabbits; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D020760:Spinal Cord Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
D000975:Antioxidants; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D016285:Iloprost; D010889:Piracetam