Effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha blocker adalimumab in experimental spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) have proven effects in pathogenesis of neuroinflammation after spinal cord injury (SCI). Current study is designed to evaluate the effects of an anti-TNF-α agent, adalimumab, on spinal cord clip compression injury in rats.


METHODS
Thirty two male adult Wistar rats were divided into four groups (sham, trauma, infliximab, and adalimumab groups) and SCI was introduced using an aneurysm clip. Animals in treatment groups received 5 mg/kg subcutaneous adalimumab and infliximab right after the trauma. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were studied in traumatized spinal cord tissues 72 hours after the injury as a marker of lipid peroxidation.


RESULTS
Animals that received anti-TNF-α agents are found to have significantly decreased MDA levels. MDA levels were significantly different between the trauma and infliximab groups (p<0.01) and trauma and adalimumab groups (p=0.022). There was no significant difference in neurological evaluation of the rats using Tarlov scale.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that, like infliximab, adalimumab has favorable effects on lipid peroxidation induced by spinal cord trauma in rats.
Department of Neurosurgery, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Alp Özgün
AÖ
Börcek
Department of Neurosurgery, Medicana Private Hospital, Konya, Turkey.
Soner
S
Çivi
Department of Neurosurgery, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Özgür
Ö
Öcal
Department of Biochemistry, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Özlem
Ö
Gülbahar
Adalimumab; Spinal cord injury; Tumor necrosis factor alpha