Study Of Hydrogen-rich Saline Protecting Against Neuronal Apoptosis In Rats With Acute Cauda Equina Syndrome

Objective To study the antioxidational, antiapoptotic,and neuroprotective effects of hydrogen-rich saline in rats with acute cauda equina syndrome. Method Rats were randomly allocated into five groups: normal group, compression group,hydrogen-rich saline group, methylprednisolone group, and methylprednisolone combined hydrogen-rich saline group. In different periods, they respectively were examined by BBB score and the hot plate test, their samples were harvested to analyze tissue concentrations of MDA and GSH, and perform HE, NF, Caspases 3, Bax and Tunel staining. By above methods, animal ethology, oxidative stress, histomorphology and cell apoptosis were evaluated. Result (1) Compared with the normal groups, compression groups had significant differences of histomorphology, cell apoptosis, animal ethology and oxidative stress, especially in 48 hours. (2)Compared with the compression groups, hydrogen-rich saline groups had significant statistical differences of BBB scale and hot plate test in 6 to 48 hours groups, that were opposite in 48 hours to 12 weeks groups. (3) Compared with the compression groups, hydrogen-rich saline groups had lower MDA level and higher GSH level which had statistical significance in spinal cord, cauda equina and dorsal root ganglia; MDA and GSH level noticeable changed in 3 hours compression groups and 24 hours hydrogen-rich saline groups. (4)Compared with the compression groups, hydrogen-rich saline groups showed better morphology of HE staining, higher positive rate of NF staining of cauda equina, lower positive index of Caspases 3 and Bax staining, and lower Tunel apoptotic index of the spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia, above data all had statistical significant. (5) Compared with the compression groups, experimental data of methylprednisolone, hydrogen-rich saline and methylprednisolone combined hydrogen-rich saline groups all had statistical differences, while there weren't statistical differences between methylprednisolone, hydrogen-rich saline and methylprednisolone combined hydrogen-rich saline groups. Conclusion Oxidative stress of acute cauda equina syndrome in rats appeared the largest rate of change at 3 hours and reached peak at 48 hours. Hydrogen-rich saline had antiapoptotic and neuroprotective effects in acute cauda equina syndrome. Compared with methylprednisolone, hydrogen-rich saline had a similar therapeutic effect.