Establishment and Functional Evaluation of a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury
Download PDF

Keywords

Spinal cord injury model
Motor function
Sensory function
Modified Allen impactor

DOI

10.26689/jcnr.v6i4.4232

Submitted : 2022-06-27
Accepted : 2022-07-12
Published : 2022-07-27

Abstract

Objective: To explore the modified Allen impactor method in establishing a rat model of spinal cord injury, and to preliminarily evaluate the motor function of the forelimbs and hindlimbs of rats. Methods: Thirty female SD rats with a body weight of 255 ± 21g were randomly divided into two groups, namely the sham-operated group and the operated group, with 15 rats in each group. The spinal cord injury SD rat model was established by exposing but not injuring the spinal cord in the sham-operated group, while the SD rat model was established by the modified Allen impactor method in the operated group. The Basso–Beattie–Bresnahan (BBB) rating scale was used to assess the rats’ hindlimb motor neurobehavior. A rat model of spinal cord injury was established by the modified Allen impactor method. After the cells were transplanted, the BBB score was used to evaluate the motor function; the changes in the motor function of rats with spinal cord injury were detected. Results: The motor function and sensory function of the forelimbs and hindlimbs of the rats showed significant changes after five days. The motor function of the forelimbs and hindlimbs of the rats in the sham-operated group were essentially normal after three days (about 20 points); the sensory function of the rats in the operated group decreased significantly after five days; however, in the sham-operated group, it decreased to 0. The motor function scores of the rats in the operated group at each point of time were significantly lower than those in the sham-operated group (p < 0.05), while the forelimb motor function scores were significantly higher than those in the sham-operated group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The modified Allen impactor method that was used to establish a rat model of spinal cord injury in this study can significantly reduce the motor function of rats.

References

Pan L, Tan B, Yu L, et al., 2020, Research Progress on the Mechanism of Exercise Training Affecting Functional Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury. China Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 35(12): 1537–1541.

Zhao J, 2021, The Active Peptide OM-LV20 Can Significantly Improve the Structure and Function of Adult Rats After Spinal Cord Transection Injury. Kunming Medical University.

Hu R, Xu H, He K, et al., 2021, Research Progress of Neuronal Extracellular Matrix Network in the Repair of Spinal Cord Injury. China Orthopedics, 34(1): 91–96.

Wu J, Yang K, Jin Y, et al., 2020, Effects of Electro-Acupuncture on Du Meridian Combined with Rehabilitation Training on the Expressions of NGF, bFGF and BDNF in Rats with Spinal Cord Injury. Zhejiang Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 30(6): 449–453.

Sun W, Tan J, Li Z, et al., 2018, Evaluation of Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment in Acute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury in Rats Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging. Aging Dis, 9(3): 391–400.

Meng XL, Hai Y, Zhang XN, et al., 2019, Hyperbaric Oxygen Improves Functional Recovery of Rats After Spinal Cord Injury Via Activating Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1/CXC Chemokine Receptor 4 Axis and Promoting Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression. Chin Med J (Engl), 132(6): 699–706.

Zhu M, Zhang S, 2022, Status and Influencing Factors of Primary Caregiver Readiness of Patients with Spinal Cord Injury. Modern Medicine and Health, 38(06): 1042–1047.

Gao S, Liu H, Zhang N, et al., 2021, Clinical Observation of Qishen Huanwu Capsule in the Treatment of Hyperalgesia in Acute Stage of Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Without Fracture and Dislocation. Modern Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 30(4): 360–368.

He R, Ying X, Shao X, 2020, Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen on Motor Function in Rats with Acute Spinal Cord Injury and Its Mechanism of Action. General Medicine Clinic and Education, 18(9): 777–796.

Wei W, Zhou B, Zhang H, et al., 2020, Expression of Neuronal Apoptosis Factor Caspase-3 at “Zusanli” and “Futu” Points of Spinal Cord Injury Model Rats with Electroacupuncture. Chinese Tissue Engineering Research, 24(32): 5151–5157.

Xu W, Zuo Y, Xin D, et al., 2021, The Choice of the Rat Model of Acute Clamping Spinal Cord Injury Model: A Network Meta-Analysis. Chinese Tissue Engineering Research, 25(23): 3767–3772.

Falavigna A, Figueiro MP, Silva PGD, et al., 2018, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy After Acute Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury: Improvement of Locomotor Recovery in Rats. Spine (PhilaPa 1976), 43(8): E442–E447.

Datto JP, Bastidas JC, Miller NL, et al., 2015, Female Rats Demonstrate Improved Locomotor Recovery and Greater Preservation of White and Gray Matter After Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Compared to Males. Journal of Neurotrauma, 32(15): 1146–1157.

Rivlin AS, Tator CH, 1978, Effect of Duration of Acute Spinal Cord Compression in a New Acute Cord Injury Model in the Rat. Surg Neurol, 10(1): 38–43.

Ren XD, Wan CX, Niu YL, 2019, Overexpression of LncRNA TCTN2 Protects Neurons from Apoptosis by Enhancing Cell Autophagy in Spinal Cord Injury. FEBS Open Bio, 9(7): 1223–1231.

Zhao D, Zhang M, Yuan H, et al., 2018, Ginsenoside Rb1 Protects Against Spinal Cord Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats by Downregulating the Bax/Bcl-2 Ratio and Caspase-3 and p-Ask-1 levels. Exp Mol Pathol, 105(3): 229–235.

Zhang C, Rong W, Zhang GH, et al., 2018, Early Electrical Field Stimulation Prevents the Loss of Spinal Cord Anterior Horn Motoneurons and Muscle Atrophy Following Spinal Cord Injury. Neural Regen Res, 13(5): 869–876.

Sun N, Xiong X, He Y, et al., 2018, Dietary Restriction Therapy Every Other Day Can Promote the Recovery of Motor Function in Rats with Clamped Spinal Cord Injury. Chinese Tissue Engineering Research, 22(4): 564–569.

He Y, Zhang A, Sun N, et al., 2018, Protective Effect and Mechanism of Alternate-Day Food Restriction Therapy on Spinal Cord Injury Rats. China Rehabilitation Theory and Practice, 24(2): 153–159.

Xu D, Li Y, Wei J, et al., 2021, Inhibitory Effect of Baicalin on Inflammatory Response in Rats with Spinal Cord Injury by Regulating M2 Polarization of Macrophages. Journal of Jilin University (Medical Edition), 47(1): 158–167.

Liu X, Xu J, Lian X, et al., 2012, Preparation and Evaluation of Rat Clamp-Type Acute Spinal Cord Injury Model. Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery, 20(14): 1318–1322.

Tian T, Li X, 2021, Problems and Challenges in the Regeneration and Repair of Spinal Cord Injury. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research, 25(19): 3039–3048.

Han Y, 2021, Clinical Effect of Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Nursing in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury. Chinese Medicine Guide, 19(3): 224–225.

Shi X, Du N, Qin J, et al., 2020, Application of Bladder Safety Measurement Device in the Diagnosis of Bladder Function in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury. Chinese Journal of Osteoarthritis, 9(11): 864–868.