| Part oneObjective: To investigate the expression of ROCK2 in the injured spinal cord after SCI at different times, and to study the rule of the expression of ROCK2 in the jinjured spinal cord. We also hope to provide theory foundation for the treatment of SCI using Rho kinase inhibitors. Methods: The healthy female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into two groups randomly: sham group(n=30) and SCI model group(n=30). The rats in the sham group only received a laminectomy, and did not injure the spinal cord. The rats in the SCI model group were cut three-quarters of the spinal cord from the back. The recovery of hindlimb motor function was assessed by measuring BBB scores, and the measurements were taken at 3d,1w,2w,4w,6w after operation as well as before operation. The expression of ROCK2 in the injured spinal cord was detected by immunohistochemical method at 8h,3d,1w,2w,4w,6w after operation. Results: The hindlimb of the rats in sham group functioned normally, and the BBB score was 21. In the third day after operation, the BBB score was zero in the SCI model group, and after one week, the BBB score improved gradually, reached to 9 - 10 at the forth week. And the BBB score of the model rats at the sixth week was similar to the forth week. The BBB score of the model rats decreased significantly than that in sham group at every times after operation (P<0.05, respectively). In the model group, the expression of ROCK2 in the injured spinal cord began to increase from the third day after operation, reached peak at the first week, and lasted this high-expression for 4 weeks. After that, the expression of ROCK2 began to decrease, returned to low expression at the sixth week. Compared to the sham group, the model group had significant increased ROCK2 expression at 3d,1w,2w,4w after operation (P<0.05, respectively), but there was no significant difference between the two group at the sixth week after operation (P>0.05). Conclusions: The expression of ROCK2 in the injured spinal cord can last for 4 weeks after SCI, and then, return gradually to the level that is similar to the sham group, but the lomotor function can not restore any more.Part twoObjective: To investigate Fasudil as a selective Rho kinase inhibitor on the recovery of neuro-function after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Methods: The female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats of SCI were done by hemi-section of spinal cord. The model rats were randomly divided into two groups: Fasudil treatment group and model control group. Hindlimbs functional recovery was evaluated by Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan Locomotor Rating (BBB) scales at week 1,week 2 and week 4 after operation. The expression of Rho associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase 2 (ROCK2) in the injured spinal cord was detected by immunohistochemical method at week 4 after operation. Results: The BBB scores of Fasudil treatment rats increased significantly than that of control rats at week 1,week 2,week 4 after operation (P<0.05, respectively). The expression of ROCK2 in the injured spinal cord of Fasudil group decreased significantly than that of control group at week 4 (P<0.05). Conclusions:Fasudil can reduce the expression of ROCK2 in the injured spinal cord, improve the locomotor function of rats. |
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