Abstract:

Objective　To investigate the effect of Curcumin on Axonal demyelination after compressed spinal cord injury (CSCI).　Methods　The CSCI model was established with a self-made device. SD rats were randomly classified into three groups: a sham group（n=10）, a model group（n=10）and a treated group（n=10）. The treated group received intraperitoneal administration of curcumin 100 mg/kg 2 h after CSCI. The model and sham group received intraperitoneal administration of 0.1% PBS. BBB (Basso, Beattie and Bresnaham) scale was used to evaluate the functional outcome. The changes of myelinated nerve fibers in white matter were observed by Luxol fast blue (LFB), osmic acid staining and transmission electron microscope (TEM).  Results　The BBB scores for the affected hindlimb after CSCI were significantly improved in the curcumin-treated group compared with the model group (P<0.05). LFB staining showed the edema and spongy degeneration to different degrees in the white matter of the model and treated group (P<0.05). Osmic acid staining demonstrated that the nerve fiber degeneration in the model group was much more severe than that in the treated group. TEM showed that administration of curcumin 2h after CSCI significantly diminished splitting myelin sheath.　Conclusion　Curcumin can protect the axonfrom demyelination after compressed spinal cord injury.

Key words: Compressed spinal cord injury, Demyelination, Curcumin, Rats