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. 2013 Mar;36(2):147-52.
doi: 10.1179/2045772312Y.0000000028.

Neuroprotective effect of curcumin on spinal cord in rabbit model with ischemia/reperfusion

Zhi-Qiang Liu  1 , Shan-Shan Xing, Wei Zhang
Affiliations

Neuroprotective effect of curcumin on spinal cord in rabbit model with ischemia/reperfusion

Zhi-Qiang Liu et al. J Spinal Cord Med. 2013 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injury of the spinal cord is a serious complication that can result from thoracoabdominal aortic surgery.

Objective: To investigate the neuroprotective effect of curcumin against I/R injury in a rabbit model.

Methods: A total of 36 rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: sham, I/R, and curcumin-treated group. Rabbits were subject to 30-min aortic occlusion to induce transient spinal cord ischemia. Neurological function was observed after reperfusion and spinal cord segment (L3-L5) was collected for histopathological evaluation. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were also assayed.

Results: Rabbits in I/R group were induced to paraplegia. While after 48-hour treatment, compared with I/R group, curcumin significantly improved neurological function, reduced cell apoptosis and MDA levels as well as increased SOD activity (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: The results suggest that curcumin, at least in an animal model, can attenuate transient spinal cord ischemic injury potentially via reducing oxidative damage, which may provide a novel approach in the treatment of spinal cord ischemic injury.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Histological changes of spinal cord segment stained with HE after curcumin treatment. (A) Sham group; (B) I/R group; (C) Curcumin group (magnification, × 400).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Percentage of TUNEL positive cells in rabbit spinal cord after curcumin treatment. *P < 0.01 vs. sham group; **P < 0.05 vs. I/R group.
Figure 3
Figure 3
SOD activities in collected spinal cord after curcumin treatment. *P < 0.01 vs. sham group; **P < 0.05 vs. I/R group.
Figure 4
Figure 4
MDA levels in rabbit spinal cord after curcumin treatment. *P < 0.01 vs. sham group; **P < 0.05 vs. I/R group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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