Evaluation of the effect of nandrolone decanoate on experimental spinal cord injury in rats

ABSTRACT

Background: Acute spinal cord injury, a common cause of neurological dysfunction in humans and animals, impairsmotor, sensory and autonomic functions and may result in permanent disability. Nandrolone decanoate (ND) is a steroidwidely studied for its predominantly anabolic effect and low androgenic potential. Several researchers have described thepositive interference of ND in neurological tissue, such as increased synthesis and release of neurotrophic substances, butto date no studies have evaluated the action of this steroid in acute spinal cord injury. The aim of this study was thereforeto evaluate the effect of ND in rats subjected to acute spinal cord injury.Materials, Methods & Results: Thirty-two young adult Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus), weighing between 240 and 260 g,were divided into three groups. The first group (GNAN) (n=13) was subjected to acute spinal cord injury and treated withND; the control group (GCON) (n=13) was subjected to spinal cord injury without treatment; and the third group (GLAM)(n=6) underwent laminectomy without prior spinal cord injury, in order to control changes caused by the procedure. A 20g metal device was released from a height of 25 cm to produce the spinal cord injury. After exposing the spinal canal, a2-mm diameter metal rod was placed directly in contact with the spinal cord, and when the weight was released, the rodwas struck, causing the spinal cord injury. An intramuscular injection of 2 mg/kg of ND was administered the immediatepostoperative period. The animals were assessed to ascertain the recovery of their motor function on five occasions, namelyat 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 7 and 14 days after undergoing spinal cord injury. This assessment was performed using the Basso,Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) model. The animals were euthanized 14 days post-op and fragments of the spinal cord andurinary...