Protective effect of gangliosides on neurons after spinal cord injury in rats / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of monosialotetrahexosyl gangliosides ( GM-1 ) on neurons after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats by observing the effect of GM1 on the expression and motor function of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2) and Choline acetyltransterase (ChAT). MethodsSixty-six adult female Wistar rats (weighing 260-300 g) were enrolled in the study and six were selected randomly as the normal control group. The rest were divided into GM1 group (group A, n =30) and normal saline control group (group B, n =30) after acute contusion injury was made at T10 level according to the improved Allen's method. At days 1,3, 7, 14 and 28 after operation, the neurological function of the low extremities was assessed with the improved Tarlov scale. Then,the rats were sacrificed to obtain the spinal cord tissues. There were six rats in each group at different time points. The expressions of MAP-2 and ChAT were detected with immunohistochemistry after SCI in rats. ResultsThe improved Tarlov scale in the Group A was higher than that in the Group B after SCI since the 7th day after operation, with statistical difference at day 7, 14 and 28 after operation ( P ＜0. 05). The expressions of MAP-2 and ChAT in the Group A were higher than that in the Group B after SCI ( P ＜ 0.05 ). ConclusionsThe neurological function recovery of the low extremities has some correlations with the expressions of MAP-2 and ChAT after SCI in the rats. GM-1 can protect the neurons by promoting the expressions of MAP-2 and ChAT after SCI.