title: Improvement in sensory function via granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in rat spinal cord injury models.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim in this study was to determine whether granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) leads to sensory improvement in rat spinal cord injury (SCI) models.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were included in this study: 10 in the sham group (laminectomy alone without SCI), 10 in the SCI group (SCI treated with phosphate-buffered saline), and 10 in the GM-CSF treatment group (SCI treated with GM-CSF). A locomotor function test and pain sensitivity test were conducted weekly for 9 weeks after SCI or sham injury. Spinal tissue samples from all rats were immunohistochemically examined for the expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and abnormal sprouting at Week 9 post-SCI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor treatment improves functional recovery after SCI. In the tactile withdrawal threshold and frequency of the hindlimb paw, the GM-CSF group always responded with a statistically significant lower threshold than the SCI group 9 weeks after SCI (p < 0.05). The response of the forelimb and hindlimb paws to cold in the GM-CSF group always reflected a statistically significant lower threshold than in the SCI group 9 weeks after injury (p < 0.05). Decreased CGRP expression, observed by density and distribution area, was noted in the GM-CSF group (optical density 113.5 ± 20.4) compared with the SCI group (optical density 143.1 ± 18.7; p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with GM-CSF results in functional recovery, improving tactile and cold sense recovery in a rat SCI model. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor also minimizes abnormal sprouting of sensory nerves after SCI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Korean Armed Forces Busan Hospital, Busan.
authors.forename: Ji Yong
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Chang Hyun
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Xian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Moon Hang
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seung Hwan
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Kil Hwan
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyeonseon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hyung Chun
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: So Ra
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Byung Hyune
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D014110:Touch / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide