Investigation of the Effect of Alemtuzumab in an Experimental Spinal Cord Trauma Model in Rats

Objective Spinal cord injuries generate the most negative response to medical treatment among all general body injuries. This important morbidity is thought to be caused by a complex secondary damage mechanism. In the present study, we examined the neuroprotective effects of alemtuzumab in a spinal cord trauma model. Methods We divided 24 Long-Evans male rats into 4 groups (n = 6 per group). Laminectomy was performed at T5–T8 in all groups. Trauma was applied using the Yasargil temporary aneurysm clip for 60 seconds at these spinal cord levels in all groups, except for group 1. Next, 1 mg/kg of alemtuzumab was administered to each rat in groups 3 and 4. A functional evaluation was performed on days 1, 3, and 5 in groups 1, 2, and 4, and the rats were then sacrificed. The rats in group 3 were sacrificed on the third postoperative day to observe the early effects of alemtuzumab. The biochemical examination findings of malondialdehyde and glutathione in plasma and tissue samples and histopathological findings of the spinal cord were evaluated and compared by statistical analysis. Results The inflammatory findings in the trauma group were not seen in either group treated with alemtuzumab. The clinical motor examination and inclined plane test results were also significantly better in these groups. Conclusion Our results have shown that alemtuzumab might prevent spinal cord injury after trauma and is a histopathologically and biochemically strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective agent.