Delayed paraplegia after spinal cord ischemic injury requires caspase-3 activation in mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Delayed paraplegia remains a devastating complication after ischemic spinal cord injury associated with aortic surgery and trauma. Although apoptosis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of delayed neurodegeneration, mechanisms responsible for the delayed paraplegia remain incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of apoptosis in delayed motor neuron degeneration after spinal cord ischemia.

Methods

Mice were subjected to spinal cord ischemia induced by occlusion of the aortic arch and left subclavian artery for 5 or 9 minutes. Motor function in the hind limb was evaluated up to 72 hours after spinal cord ischemia. Histological studies were performed to detect caspase-3 activation, glial activation, and motor neuron sur

SUBMITTER: Kakinohana M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3199137 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature