Recovery of spinal cord functions after experimental complete crossection under the effect of chitosan polymeric compounds.

UNLABELLED: Currently, there is no effective method of treating complete spinal cord intersection. One of the promising experimental approaches is substances promoting repair and fusion of axonal membranes.

OBJECTIVE

To study clinical and functional recovery in experimental animals with transected spinal cord after management with photo-cross-linked chitosan in a homogeneous mixture with polyethylene glycol.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

We studied 20 rabbits with a model of complete spinal cord transection at the level of Th9. There were control and experimental groups (n=10; n=10). In the experimental group, we intraoperatively injected photo-cross-linked chitosan in a homogeneous mixture with polyethylene glycol. Neurological status was assessed using the modified Basso Beattie Bresnahan scale. Histological examination was performed after removing the animals from the experiment.

RESULTS

In the experimental group, significant regression of neurological disorders was accompanied by partial recovery of movements, sensitivity and control of pelvic functions by the 30th day of the experiment. There was no mortality in the experimental group. Paraplegia and anesthesia persisted in the control group while mortality was 40% (n=4). Histological analysis in the main group revealed axonal «bridges» in the area of injury and spread of DiI dye through this area.

CONCLUSION

These phenomena confirm the positive effect of chitosan and polyethylene glycol on functional recovery after experimental spinal cord injury. These data are consistent with histological findings.