Neuroprotective effect of Erythropoietin in experimental spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury

INTRODUCTION: Spinal cord ischemia and subsequent neurologic deficit are among the most devastating complications of thoracoabdominal aortic surgery. In this study, the role of Erythropoietin in ischemic spinal cord injury model was evaluated. The protective role of erythropoietin in alleviating neuronal damage in the spinal cord following this type of ischemia in rats was investigated.
METHODS: Twenty-five rats were used and divided into three groups: Sham, only spinal ischemia (control group), spinal ischemia + erythropoietin (erythropoietin group). After spinal ischemia induced by temporary cross-clamping of the abdominal aorta, intraperitoneal saline was given in group 1 (control group), Erytropoietin was administered intraperitoneally as a single dose in group 2 (erytropoietin group). In group 3 (sham group), abdominal aorta was surgically accessed, but was not clamped, and no substance was applied. SEPs were recorded at preoperative and postoperative 24th hour intervals in all rats. Neurological condition was analysed based on Tarlov score at 24 and 48 hours after surgery in all groups. Following sacrification of the rats, histopathological examinations were investigated.


RESULTS: It was determined that group 2 showed a significant improvement in both Tarlov neurological scores and SEPs after reperfusion than that of group 1 (p<0,001). Histopathological studies revealed less ischemic findings in group 2 than in group 1 (p<0,001).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study showed that Erythropoietin may hold promise an improvement in clinical, neurophysiological and histological outcomes of ischemia-reperfusion injuries in spinal cord.