The neuroprotective effect of treatment of valproic Acid in acute spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
Valproic acid (VPA), as known as histone deacetylase inhibitor, has neuroprotective effects. This study investigated the histological changes and functional recovery from spinal cord injury (SCI) associated with VPA treatment in a rat model.


METHODS
Locomotor function was assessed according to the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scale for 2 weeks in rats after receiving twice daily intraperitoneal injections of 200 mg/kg VPA or the equivalent volume of normal saline for 7 days following SCI. The injured spinal cord was then examined histologically, including quantification of cavitation.


RESULTS
Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scale scores in rats receiving VPA were significantly higher than in the saline group (p<0.05). The cavity volume in the VPA group was significantly reduced compared with the control (saline-injected) group (p<0.05). The level of histone acetylation recovered in the VPA group, while it was significantly decreased in the control rats (p<0.05). The macrophage level was significantly decreased in the VPA group (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
VPA influences the restoration of hyperacetylation and reduction of the inflammatory reaction resulting from SCI, and is effective for histology and motor function recovery.
Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.
Song-Hee
SH
Yu
Dae-Chul
DC
Cho
Kyoung-Tae
KT
Kim
Kyung-Hun
KH
Nam
Hee-Jung
HJ
Cho
Joo-Kyung
JK
Sung