RESUMEN
Traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) can cause paralysis and permanent disability. Rehabilitation (RB) is currently the only accepted treatment, although its beneficial effect is limited. The development of biomaterials has provided therapeutic possibilities for TSCI, where our research group previously showed that the plasma-synthesized polypyrrole/iodine (PPy/I), a biopolymer with different physicochemical characteristics than those of the PPy synthesized by conventional methods, promotes recovery of motor function after TSCI. The present study evaluated if the plasma-synthesized PPy/I applied in combination with RB could increase its beneficial effects and the mechanisms involved. Adult rats with TSCI were divided into no treatment (control); biopolymer (PPy/I); mixed RB by swimming and enriched environment (SW/EE); and combined treatment (PPy/I + SW/EE) groups. Eight weeks after TSCI, the general health of the animals that received any of the treatments was better than the control animals. Functional recovery evaluated by two scales was better and was achieved in less time with the PPy/I + SW/EE combination. All treatments significantly increased ßIII-tubulin (nerve plasticity) expression, but only PPy/I increased GAP-43 (nerve regeneration) and MBP (myelination) expression when were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The expression of GFAP (glial scar) decreased in treated groups when determined by histochemistry, while morphometric analysis showed that tissue was better preserved when PPy/I and PPy/I + SW/EE were administered. The application of PPy/I + SW/EE, promotes the preservation of nervous tissue, and the expression of molecules related to plasticity as ßIII-tubulin, reduces the glial scar, improves general health and allows the recovery of motor function after TSCI. The implant of the biomaterial polypyrrole/iodine (PPy/I) synthesized by plasma (an unconventional synthesis method), in combination with a mixed rehabilitation scheme with swimming and enriched environment applied after a traumatic spinal cord injury, promotes expression of GAP-43 and ßIII-tubulin (molecules related to plasticity and nerve regeneration) and reduces the expression of GFAP (molecule related to the formation of the glial scar). Both effects together allow the formation of nerve fibers, the reconnection of the spinal cord in the area of injury and the recovery of lost motor function. The figure shows the colocalization (yellow) of ßIII-tubilin (red) and GAP-43 (green) in fibers crossing the epicenter of the injury (arrowheads) that reconnect the rostral and caudal ends of the injured spinal cord and allowed recovery of motor function.
Asunto(s)
Materiales Biocompatibles , Terapia por Ejercicio/métodos , Yodo/química , Polímeros/química , Pirroles/química , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/rehabilitación , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/cirugía , Animales , Coagulación con Plasma de Argón/métodos , Materiales Biocompatibles/administración & dosificación , Materiales Biocompatibles/síntesis química , Materiales Biocompatibles/química , Materiales Biocompatibles/efectos de la radiación , Precipitación Química/efectos de la radiación , Terapia Combinada , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Planificación Ambiental , Femenino , Inyecciones Espinales , Yodo/administración & dosificación , Yodo/efectos de la radiación , Laminectomía , Láseres de Gas/uso terapéutico , Actividad Motora/efectos de los fármacos , Actividad Motora/fisiología , Regeneración Nerviosa/efectos de los fármacos , Regeneración Nerviosa/fisiología , Polímeros/administración & dosificación , Polímeros/síntesis química , Polímeros/efectos de la radiación , Pirroles/administración & dosificación , Pirroles/síntesis química , Pirroles/efectos de la radiación , Ratas , Ratas Long-Evans , Recuperación de la Función/efectos de los fármacos , Recuperación de la Función/fisiología , Traumatismos de la Médula Espinal/patología , Regeneración de la Medula Espinal/efectos de los fármacos , NataciónRESUMEN
Status epilepticus (SE) is one of the most significant complications in pediatric neurology. Clinical studies have shown positive effects of electroacupuncture (EA) as a therapeutic alternative in the control of partial seizures and secondary generalized clonic seizures. EA promotes the release of neurotransmitters such as GABA and some opioids. The present study aimed to evaluate the anticonvulsive and neuromodulatory effects of Shui Gou DM26 (SG_DM26) acupuncture point electrostimulation on the expression of the glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) enzyme and the glutamate transporter EAAC1 in an early SE model. At ten postnatal days (10-PD), male rats weighing 22-26 g were divided into 16 groups, including control and treatment groups: Simple stimulation, electrostimulation, anticonvulsant drug treatment, and combined treatment-electrostimulation and pentobarbital (PB). SE was induced with kainic acid (KA), and the following parameters were measured: Motor behavior, and expression of GAD67 and EAAC1. The results suggest an antiepileptic effect derived from SG DM26 point EA. The possible mechanism is most likely the increased production of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which is observed as an increase in the expression of both GAD67 and EAAC1, as well as the potential synergy between the neuromodulator effects of EA and PB.