Calcium channel blockers in reduction of epidural fibrosis and dural adhesions in laminectomy rats.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of verapamil on the prevention of epidural fibrosis in laminectomy rats.

METHODS

A controlled double-blinded study was conducted in sixty healthy adult Wistar rats that underwent laminectomy at the L1-L2 levels. All rats were divided randomly into three groups according to the treatment method, with 20 in each group: (1) VP treatment group; (2) vehicle treatment group; and (3) sham group (laminectomy without treatment). All rats were killed 4 weeks post-laminectomy. The hydroxyproline content, Rydell score, vimentin cells density, fibroblasts density, inflammatory cells density and inflammatory factors expressions were evaluated.

RESULTS

The histological evaluation showed less epidural scar adhesions in verapamil group than other two groups. The hydroxyproline content, Rydell score, vimentin cells density, fibroblasts density, inflammatory cells density and inflammatory factors expressions all suggested better results in verapamil group than other two groups.

CONCLUSION

Topical application of verapamil could inhibit fibroblasts proliferation and TGF-β1 and IL-6 expressions and prevent epidural scar adhesion in post-laminectomy rat model.