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Review
. 2021 Jun;23(6):417.
doi: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12056. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Acute spinal cord injury: Pathophysiology and pharmacological intervention (Review)

Yi Zhang  1 , Abdullah Al Mamun  2 , Yuan Yuan  2 , Qi Lu  2 , Jun Xiong  2 , Shulin Yang  1 , Chengbiao Wu  2 , Yanqing Wu  3 , Jian Wang  4
Affiliations
Review

Acute spinal cord injury: Pathophysiology and pharmacological intervention (Review)

Yi Zhang et al. Mol Med Rep. 2021 Jun.

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most debilitating of all the traumatic conditions that afflict individuals. For a number of years, extensive studies have been conducted to clarify the molecular mechanisms of SCI. Experimental and clinical studies have indicated that two phases, primary damage and secondary damage, are involved in SCI. The initial mechanical damage is caused by local impairment of the spinal cord. In addition, the fundamental mechanisms are associated with hyperflexion, hyperextension, axial loading and rotation. By contrast, secondary injury mechanisms are led by systemic and cellular factors, which may also be initiated by the primary injury. Although significant advances in supportive care have improved clinical outcomes in recent years, a number of studies continue to explore specific pharmacological therapies to minimize SCI. The present review summarized some important pathophysiologic mechanisms that are involved in SCI and focused on several pharmacological and non‑pharmacological therapies, which have either been previously investigated or have a potential in the management of this debilitating injury in the near future.

Keywords: spinal cord injury; primary and secondary damage; systemic factors; local vascular effects; cyclooxygenase inhibitors; minocycline.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Pathophysiology of primary and secondary injury during spinal cord injury.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Different type of pharmacological drugs used for the treatment of SCI. SCI, spinal cord injury; FGF, fibroblast growth factor; a, acidic; b, basic.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Non-pharmacological therapies for the treatment of SCI. SCI, spinal cord injury.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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