Effects Of Alcohol Therapy For Acute Spinal Cord Decompression Sickness In Rabbits

Objective: To investigate the effect of alcohol therapy for acute spinal cord decompression sickness in rabbits.Methods: 58 healthy New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups :alcohol therapy group (A group) 25 rabbits, saline solution control group (B group) 20 rabbits and untreated control group (C group) 13 rabbits. Then put into the animal capsule, whose pressure was risen to 0.6 MPa by compressed air within 15 min,and maintained for 60 min. Then the capsule's pressure was evenly decompressed to normal pressure within 5±1min. Observe the symptoms and signs, 31 experimental rabbits were successfully reproduced into model of acute spinal cord decompression sickness, alcohol therapy group (A group) 15 rabbits ,saline solution control group (B group) 8 rabbits and untreated control group (C group) 8 rabbits. The model rabbits in A group were injected 25% alcoholic solution (3ml/kg) through ear vein after decompression, whereas in the B group, 3ml/kg normal saline were instead of and without any therapy in C group. The N21of spinal cord evoked potential(SCEP),magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and Tarlov behavior score were used to assess motor neurologic function before compression and after 3 days decompression respectively. Spiral cord tissue was taken from each group and paraffin wax sections were dyed by HE. They were observed through microscope.Results: (1) Tarlov behavior score: A group 4.31±0.63;B group 1.25±0.50(compared with A group,p<0.01);C group 1.20±0.83(compared with A group p<0.01)。(2)MRI: A group: The thoracolumbar cord appeared mild swelling. B and C group: Thethoracolumbar appeared mild swelling. And the focal and diffuse hyperintenstiy were seen on spinal cord on T2W images.In addition, the morphplogy of spinal cord was disappeared below the level of thoracolumbar cord. (3) SCEP:A group: the latency and amplitude of N21 have no obviously changed after 3 days decompression. B and C group : the latency of N21 was longer after 3 days decompression than before compression(P<0.01),and the amplitude of N21 was decreased(P<0.01). (4)Macropathology: A group: We can observe the hydrops in myeloid tissue. There are no air bubbles in spinovascular. B and C group: Massive hemorrhage and air bubbles were observed in spinovascular. (5) Microscopic examination: A group: We can observe the inflammatory infiltration as chief manifest. B and C group : Retention of urine and intestinal tympanites were observed by macropathology.Through microscope we can observe local haemorrhage, extensive congestion,inflammatory cell infiltration in spinal cord. (6) Blood smear: A group: There were some dispersive platelets and red blood cells in blood smears. B and C group: We can observe some platelets aggregation and erythrocyte aggregation in blood smears.Conclusion: Alcohol have powerful effect of defoaming in and out of blood vessel. Alcohol also can expand blood vessel, improve hemodynamics, eliminate thrombus and air bubble, ameliorate blood vessel spasm and deoppilation microcirculation. then cured acute spinal cord decompression sickness. So alcohol therapy is a quick and effect method for acute spinal cord decompression sickness.