Olfactory bulb implantation and methylprednisolone administration in the treatment of spinal cord injury in rats

Abstract

Estimate the effects of methylprednisolone (MP) administration and olfactory bulb (OB) implantation independently and in combination after a spinal trauma model in Wistar rats, evaluated with BBB scale and CBS with remark of inclined plane test and Tarlov scale. Thirty adult rats were divided into six different groups, evaluated before trauma, one day post-surgery and weekly up to six weeks post-lesion. Group A (control); group B (sham) laminectomy without lesion; group C (SCI) lesion only; group D (MP) SCI and MP; group E (OB) SCI and OB implantation; group F (MP/OB) SCI and both therapeutics. Intragroup data at three weeks showed evident significance in groups D, E and F for Tarlov ( p = 0.001) and BBB ( p < 0.01); groups C, D, E and F for CBS ( p < 0.05); and only group D with inclined plane ( p < 0.05). On the sixth week differences were present in groups C, D, E, and F for Tarlov, BBB and CBS ( p < 0.001); and C and F for inclined plane ( p < 0.05). For intergroup analysis any treatment showed differences with Tarlov scale; for BBB and inclined plane, statistical differences were evident in groups E and F; and for CBS only in group F ( p < 0.05). Real effects of MP are obtained at immediate follow-up, without notorious augmentation after time. OB improvement is achieved only after weeks. None of these therapies used independently achieve a constant and sustained improvement. Combined treatments were more effective and reached higher functional levels for longer periods of time.