Differential Histopathological and Behavioral Outcomes Eight Weeks after Rat Spinal Cord Injury by Contusion, Dislocation, and Distraction Mechanisms

• DOI: 10.1089/neu.2015.4218
• Publication Date: 2015-12-16T04:07:43Z
• Authors: Kinon Chen; Jie Liu; Peggy Assinck; Tim Bhatnagar; Femke Streijger; Qingan Zhu; Marcel F. Dvorak; Brian K. Kwon; Wolfram Tetzlaff; Thomas R. Oxland
• Keywords: Nissl body; NeuN

The objective of this study was to compare the long-term histological and behavioral outcomes after spinal cord injury (SCI) induced by one three distinct biomechanical mechanisms: dislocation, contusion, distraction. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized incur a traumatic cervical SCI these clinically relevant mechanisms. injured spines surgically stabilized, motor function assessed for following 8 weeks. cords then harvested histologic analysis. Quantification white matter sparing using Luxol fast blue staining revealed that dislocation caused greatest overall loss matter, both laterally along rostrocaudal axis cord. Distraction enlarged extracellular spaces structural alteration in but spared most myelinated axons overall. Contusion severe dorsal matter. Immunohistochemistry neuronal marker NeuN combined with Fluoro Nissl mechanism resulted cell losses ventral horns. After distraction mechanism, animals displayed no recovery grip strength over time, contrast subjected contusion or injuries. improvement grooming test, These data indicate different mechanisms result patterns histopathology recovery. Understanding heterogeneity may be important future development therapeutic interventions target specific neuropathology SCI.