Abstract
Intraperitoneal administration of the neural protease inhibitors leupeptin and E-64c substantially suppressed the degradation of neurofilament proteins (NFP) at the site of mechanical insult and secondary axonal degeneration, and facilitated the recovery of motor functions in acute spinal cord injury in rats. The drug effects were assessed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of NFP fractions from the injured tissue and by morphometry of degenerating axons revealed by the Fink-Heimer method in distal spinal cord segments with the aid of an automated image analyzer. The role of calcium-activated neutral proteases in acute central nervous tissue damage and potential use of protease inhibitors as therapeutic modalities are discussed.
Published Version
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