title: Effects of methylprednisolone on neuroprotective effects of delay hypothermia on spinal cord injury in rat.
abstract: METHODS
  A retrospective study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of delayed hypothermia on spinal cord injuries in rats. In addition, the effect of methylprednisolone on therapeutic window of hypothermia was evaluated.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Several studies have demonstrated that early hypothermia is the most effective neuroprotective modality. However, delayed hypothermia seems to be more practical for patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries. A combination of hypothermia and other neuroprotective methods, such as using methylprednisolone, may help extend the therapeutic window of hypothermia.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and twenty male rats were categorized into six groups. The rats in five groups were subjected to spinal cord injury using the weight drop method, followed by treatment, consisting of early hypothermia, late hypothermia, late hypothermia plus methylprednisolone, or methylprednisolone only. Biochemical tests including catalase, malondialdehyde, and superoxide level were evaluated in the injured spinal cord. Behavioral functions of the hind limb were evaluated by Basso-Battle-Bresnaham locomotor rating scale and tail-flick tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Functional and biochemical evaluation showed both early and late hypothermia had significant neuroprotective effects. The treated groups did not differ significantly from one another in the behavioral tests. Hypothermia had better biochemical results compared to methylprednisolone. Also, methylprednisolone was shown to extend the therapeutic window of delayed hypothermia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hypothermia showed a significant neuroprotective effect, which can be improved with further studies optimizing the duration of hypothermia and the rewarming period. Moreover, the therapeutic effect of the delayed hypothermia can be extended by methylprednisolone.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. ; Afzal Research Institute (NGO), Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Saeid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karamouzian
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery Department, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Sadegh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akhtarshomar
authors.affiliation: Department Orthopedics, Dr. Bahonar Hospital, Kerman Neurosceicne Research Center, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saied
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gholamhoseinian
keywords: Hypothermia; Methylprednisolone; Spinal cord injury