leuprolide and Spinal-Cord-Injuries

To determine if a continuous administration of leuprolide acetate (LA), a synthetic agonist for the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone receptor, facilitates the recovery of urinary function in spinal cord injured male rats.. Male Wistar rats were randomized into spinal cord injury (SCI; n = 7), SCI with continuous administration of LA for two weeks via implantation of a subcutaneous osmotic pump (SCI + LA; n = 7), Sham SCI (SH-SCI; n = 6) or no surgery (Intact; n = 6) groups. Micturition, hind-limb nociception and locomotor behaviors were analyzed before and after surgical procedures on days 7, 14, 21 and 28. After behavioral studies, electromyography of the external urethral sphincter (EUS-EMG) and cystometric (CMG) studies were performed in all groups.. SCI significantly decreased frequency of voids and CMG parameters (p < 0.001), abolished the bursting activity of the EUS during CMG, significantly increased hind limb sensory threshold and decreased locomotor performance in comparison to the other groups (p < 0.001). Continuous LA treatment significantly increased the frequency of voids and improved CMG parameters (p < 0.001), exhibiting bursting EUS activity during CMGs, and enhanced locomotor performance in comparison to SCI rats (p < 0.001).. SCI severely affected behavioral and functional micturition processes, including sensory and locomotor functions. Systemic and uninterrupted treatment with LA improves the recovery of micturition behavior and the synergistic function of the EUS. Furthermore, sensory and locomotor responses were also improved in SCI rats. This procedure may have a therapeutic potential to facilitate urinary function recovery in patients with SCI.

Topics: Animals; Leuprolide; Male; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Spinal Cord; Spinal Cord Injuries; Urethra; Urination

Electromyographic studies have shown that external anal sphincter activity is modified in response to distension in animals with spinal cord injury. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone and its agonist leuprolide acetate have neurotrophic properties in animals with spinal cord injury.. This study was to determine the effects of leuprolide acetate treatment on electromyographic activity of the external anal sphincter and anorectal manometry in ovariectomized rats with spinal cord injury.. Adult ovariectomized rats were divided in three groups: (a) sham of spinal cord injury, (b) spinal cord injury treated with saline solution, and (c) spinal cord injury treated with leuprolide acetate. The spinal cord injury was induced by clamping at level T9. Leuprolide acetate dosage of 10 μg/kg was proctored intramuscular for 5 weeks, commencing the day after the lesion. Electromyography of the external anal sphincter, anorectal manometry, and volume of the cecum were evaluated in all groups.. The electromyographic study of the external anal sphincter activity showed a significant improvement in injured rats treated with leuprolide acetate. Manometric analysis and cecum volume data obtained in animals with leuprolide acetate were very similar to those found in the sham group.. These results demonstrate that leuprolide acetate treatment improves the neurogenic colon in ovariectomized rats with spinal cord injury.

Topics: Anal Canal; Animals; Cecum; Electromyography; Female; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Leuprolide; Manometry; Neurogenic Bowel; Ovariectomy; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Rectum; Spinal Cord Injuries

It has been reported that gonadotropin‑releasing hormone (GnRH), and its analogue leuprolide acetate (LA), have neurotrophic properties; particularly in the regeneration of injured spinal cord in animal models and in the case of a patient with spinal cord injury (SCI). The aim of this study was to establish whether treatment with LA improves sensitivity, motor activity and independence in patients with chronic SCI. Patients were treated LA once a month for six months. They were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of treatment; using a sensitivity and motor impairment scale, according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA), and grade of independence scale; employing the spinal cord independence measure (SCIM). Statistical analysis showed a significant improvement in the ASIA sensory score and the SCIM score when comparing the initial versus final evaluation after six months of LA administration. Some patients showed an increase in frequency of bowel movements. Treatment with LA induces improvements in sensitivity, motor activity and independence in patients with chronic SCI. One advantage of this protocol is that it is a non-invasive method of easy and safe application, with few side effects.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Chronic Disease; Female; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Humans; Leuprolide; Male; Middle Aged; Recovery of Function; Spinal Cord Injuries; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult