Effects of valproic acid, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, on improvement of locomotor function in rat spinal cord injury based on epigenetic science.
The primary phase of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) starts by a complex local inflammatory reaction such as secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines from microglia and injured cells that substantially contribute to exacerbating pathogenic events in secondary phase. Valproic acid (VPA) is a histone deacetylase inhibitor. Acetylation of histones is critical to cellular inflammatory and repair processes.



In this study, rats were randomly assigned to five experimental groups (laminectomy, untreated, and three VPA-treated groups). For SCI, severe contusion was used. In treated groups, VPA was administered intraperitoneally at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg daily three hours after injury for 7 days. To compare locomotor improvement among experimental groups, behavioral assessments were performed by the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) rating scale. The expression of neurotrophins was evaluated by RT-PCR and real-time PCR.



VPA administration increased regional brain-derived neurotrophic factor and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA levels. Local inflammation and the expression of the lysosomal marker ED1 by activated macrophages/microglial cells were reduced by VPA and immunoreactivity of acetylated histone and microtubule-associated protein were increased.



The results showed a reduction in the development of secondary damage in rat spinal cord trauma with an improvement in the open field test (BBB scale) with rapid recovery.
Stem Cells Research Laboratory, Dept. of Medical Sciences, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran.|Dept. of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, and Shefa Neurosciences Research Center, Khatam Al-Anbia Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
Alireza
A
Abdanipour
Division of Immunopathology of the Nervous System, Tuebingen University, Germany.
Hermann J
HJ
Schluesener
Dept. of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, and Shefa Neurosciences Research Center, Khatam Al-Anbia Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
Taki
T
Tiraihi
D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D003288:Contusions; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D053331:Ectodysplasins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005260:Female; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007796:Laminectomy; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D017628:Microglia / Q000378:metabolism; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D016207:Cytokines; D053331:Ectodysplasins; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014635:Valproic Acid