Effect of repeatedly given CDP-choline on cardiovascular and tissue injury in spinal shock conditions: investigation of the acute phase.
OBJECTIVE
The protective effect of CDP-choline in spinal cord transection and the mediation of its cardiovascular effects were investigated.


METHODS
Spinal cords of rats were transected at the T1-T2 levels. CDP-choline (250 mg/kg; intravenous) was administered 2 h and/or 24 h after the injury.


RESULTS
Spinal cord transection caused severe tissue damage, decreased mean arterial pressure, heart rate, plasma adrenaline, and noradrenaline but increased plasma vasopressin levels. Repeated CDP-choline treatment attenuated the degree of tissue injury. Administration of CDP-choline at 2 h after transection transiently increased blood pressure and decreased heart rate, while it produced a small decrease in blood pressure and heart rate when it was given at 24 h. Plasma adrenaline levels were higher in the group where CDP-choline was given repeatedly. Plasma noradrenaline and vasopressin levels did not change additionally after CDP-choline injections in all groups. In order to determine if CDP-choline attenuates the oxidative injury induced by transection, we measured blood superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase activity and malondialdehyde levels. Repeated CDP-choline administration decreased blood superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity without any effect on malondialdehyde levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Data indicate that repeated intravenous CDP-choline treatment prevents tissue damage in spinal shock conditions in the acute phase. The cardiovascular effects of the drug do not seem to be responsible for this protection but the drug-induced attenuation of the oxidative stress may play a role.
Coskun
Cenk
C
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Uludag University, Turkey.
Avci
Berrin
B
Ocak
Nihal
N
Yalcin
Murat
M
Dirican
Melahat
M
Savci
Vahide
V
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D003566:Cytidine Diphosphate Choline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D013997:Time Factors
D008315:Malondialdehyde; D003566:Cytidine Diphosphate Choline; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D004837:Epinephrine