iloprost and Paraplegia

This study investigated the cytoprotective effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and iloprost on spinal cord ischemia in an experimental model.. Thirty-five (male) New Zealand white rabbits were included in five study groups (n=7, each group). One group served as Sham. Rabbits in other groups had their abdominal aorta cross-clamped just above the iliac bifurcation for 40 min. During aortic cross clamping, iloprost, NAC, both iloprost and NAC or saline (control) were infused.. In NAC, iloprost, and iloprost+NAC groups, neurological status of rabbits (Tarlov score) 24 and 48 h after the operation was better than the control group (p<0.01), but worse than the Sham group (p<0.01). There was minimal neuronal damage in the iloprost treated groups compared to the NAC group (p<0.05). Mean viability index values in NAC, iloprost and iloprost+NAC groups were higher than the control group (p<0.01). Viability index in the NAC group was lower than the iloprost and iloprost+NAC groups.. The use of iloprost and NAC may provide better protection from spinal cord ischemia.

Topics: Acetylcysteine; Animals; Cytoprotection; Iloprost; Ischemia; Male; Models, Animal; Nitric Oxide; Paraplegia; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; Rabbits; Random Allocation; Spinal Cord; Vasodilator Agents