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Hydrogen-Rich Saline Protects Against Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

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Abstract

In the present study, we examined the mechanisms of hydrogen-rich saline, a reported therapeutic antioxidant, in the treatment of acute spinal cord contusion injury. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to produce a standardized model of contuses spinal cord injury (125 kdyn force). Hydrogen-rich saline was injected intraperitoneally (5 ml/kg) immediately, and at 24 and 48 h after injury. All rats were sacrificed at 72 h after spinal cord injury (SCI). Apoptotic cell death, oxidative stress, inflammation, level of Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were evaluated. In addition, locomotor behavior was assessed using the Basso, Beattice and Bresnahan (BBB) scale. We observed that administration of hydrogen-rich saline decreased the number of apoptotic cells, suppressed oxidative stress, and improved locomotor functions. Hydrogen-rich saline increased the release of BDNF. In conclusion, hydrogen-rich saline reduced acute spinal cord contusion injury, possibly by reduction of oxidative stress and elevation of BDNF.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from the fund of National Nature Science Foundation of China (30772092 to Dr. Xueyin Shi).and Disaster Medial Foundation at the Second Military University (200805 to Dr. Hongbin Yuan).

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Correspondence to Hongbin Yuan or Xuejun Sun.

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Chen, C., Chen, Q., Mao, Y. et al. Hydrogen-Rich Saline Protects Against Spinal Cord Injury in Rats. Neurochem Res 35, 1111–1118 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-010-0162-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-010-0162-y

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