Open AccessNeuroprotective Effects of Direct Intrathecal Administration of Granulocyte Colony‐Stimulating Factor in Rats with Spinal Cord Injury
Author(s) -
Chen WuFu,
Chen ChunHong,
Chen NanFu,
Sung ChunSung,
Wen ZhiHong
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
cns neuroscience and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1755-5949
pISSN - 1755-5930
DOI - 10.1111/cns.12429
Subject(s) - medicine , neuroprotection , spinal cord , spinal cord injury , methylprednisolone , glial fibrillary acidic protein , granulocyte colony stimulating factor , pharmacology , ciliary neurotrophic factor , glial scar , anesthesia , neurotrophic factors , pathology , immunohistochemistry , chemotherapy , receptor , psychiatry
Summary Aims To date, no reliable methods have proven effective for treating spinal cord injury ( SCI ). Even systemic administration of methylprednisolone ( MP ) remains controversial. We previously reported that intrathecal (i.t.) administration of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐ CSF ) improves outcome after experimental spinal cord ischemic insults in rats. The present study aimed to examine the neuroprotective efficacy of i.t. G‐ CSF or MP in rats with SCI . Methods Female rats were subjected to spinal cord contusion injury at T10 using NYU impactor. We i.t. administered G‐ CSF (10 μg) or MP (one bolus of 100 μg, followed by 18 μg/h infusion for 23 h) immediately after SCI . Results Both G‐ CSF and MP significantly improved the rats’ motor function after SCI . Immunofluorescence staining revealed suppressed expression of transforming growth factor‐beta 1 ( TGF ‐β1), chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (neurocan and phosphacan), OX ‐42 and tumor necrosis factor alpha after i.t. G‐ CSF , but not MP , in rats with SCI . In addition, G‐ CSF significantly decreased the expression of astrocytic TGF ‐β1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein around the injury site. Furthermore, rats with G‐ CSF treatment showed increased neurofilament expression beyond the glial scars. Conclusion Direct i.t. administration of G‐ CSF provides a promising therapeutic option for SCI or related spinal diseases.