Oxidative stress and antioxidative parameters in patients with spinal cord injury: implications in the pathogenesis of disease

Study design: Oxygen-derived free radicals have been implicated in the pathogenesis of spinal cord injury (SCI) after trauma. Objective: In this review we will elucidate the importance of oxidative stress and antioxidants and its possible relationship with SCI. Methods: Literature analysis of oxidative stress, antioxidative parameters based on its implications in the pathogenesis along with devastating effect of oxidative stress parameters on SCI patients and its suggested proposed treatment by antioxidants have been performed. Results: SCI remains a major health problem despite advances in neurotechnology. Previous studies have reported oxidative stress in SCI patients, but the results were inconsistent. Furthermore, increased free radical levels are reported in SCI. Moreover, we have also mentioned in this review that oxidative stress is supposed to be increased in patients with SCI, which is related to the severity of SCI pain. Conclusion: Oxidative stress was commonly seen in SCI patients, which may provide useful information to augment the understanding of pathophysiology of SCI patients. However, complete understanding of the biochemical events occurring at a cellular level that influence oxidative damage is required to guide future therapeutic advances. Furthermore, supplementation of antioxidants may also be considered in these patients.