title: Gastrocnemius-derived BDNF promotes motor function recovery in spinal cord transected rats.
abstract: This study evaluated the role of gastrocnemius-derived brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and possible mechanism in motor improvement in T10 spinal cord transection (SCT) rats. There was complete paralysis in hindlimbs immediately after SCT, followed by partial functional restoration with time going. The level of BDNF but not its mRNA gradually increased in caudal stump after SCT, whereas a significant increase in both BDNF and its mRNA was simultaneously seen in gastrocnemius. Injection of BDNF antibody into the gastrocnemius significantly decreased hindlimb locomotor function, downregulated the level of BDNF and its mRNA together with extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2). Moreover, ventral root ligation led to decrease both BDNF and Erk in caudal stump, indicating BDNF transportation from gastrocnemius into the spinal cord. We concluded that gastrocnemius-derived BDNF reduced motor functional deficits in SCT rats through Erk signaling pathway. These novel findings suggested the usage of BDNF in muscle for the treatment of spinal cord injury in clinic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Li-Hong
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ru-Xin
authors.initials: RX
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Shan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ou
authors.forename: Guo-Dong
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yan-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Guo-Dong
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Ting-Hua
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor