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Neuroimmunophilin ligands improve functional recovery and increase axonal growth after spinal cord hemisection in rats.
- Source :
-
Journal of neurotrauma [J Neurotrauma] 2005 Oct; Vol. 22 (10), pp. 1150-61. - Publication Year :
- 2005
-
Abstract
- We have previously shown that FK506 accelerates the rate of nerve regeneration in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and increases regeneration of central nervous system (CNS) axons into a peripheral nerve graft. In the present study, we examined whether FK506 and a nonimmunosuppressive derivative (FK1706) improve functional recovery and long distance regeneration following a hemisection lesion of spinal cord at T10/T11. Rats were given daily subcutaneous injections of either FK506 (2 mg/kg/day), FK1706 (2 mg/kg/day), an equivalent volume of saline or 30% DMSO as vehicle, respectively. Functional recovery was assessed using a modified Tarlov/Klinger scale, walking along progressively narrower wooden beams (7.7-1.7 cm widths), and analysis of footprints obtained during walking. Compared to both control groups, FK506 and FK1706-treated animals demonstrated significant functional recovery 4 days (beam walking), 2 weeks (footprints), and 4 weeks (Tarlov/Klinger scale). By 11 weeks, FK506-treated and FK1706-treated animals were able to walk, albeit poorly, along even the narrowest (1.7 cm) beam. At 11 weeks, the spinal cords were re-exposed and a small piece of gel foam-soaked Fluoro-Gold was placed on the injured side 2-cm caudal to the first injury. Five days later, the animals were perfused and tissues prepared for fluorescence microscopy. FK506-treated and FK1706-treated rats demonstrate a significantly greater number of retrogradely labeled neurons in the red nucleus. The results implicate a nonimmunosuppressant mechanism in FK506's action and suggest that FK506 or a nonimmunosuppressant derivative may be useful for treatment of spinal cord injuries.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Axons drug effects
Axons pathology
Axotomy
Functional Laterality
Immunohistochemistry
Male
Microscopy, Fluorescence
Nerve Regeneration drug effects
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Red Nucleus drug effects
Spinal Cord drug effects
Spinal Cord pathology
Spinal Cord Injuries immunology
Spinal Cord Injuries pathology
Neuroprotective Agents therapeutic use
Recovery of Function drug effects
Spinal Cord Injuries drug therapy
Tacrolimus analogs & derivatives
Tacrolimus therapeutic use
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0897-7151
- Volume :
- 22
- Issue :
- 10
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of neurotrauma
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 16238491
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1089/neu.2005.22.1150