Neuroprotective Effects of Dexpanthenol on Rabbit Spinal Cord Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Model

-OBJECTIVE: Dexpanthenol (DXP) reportedly protects tis-sues against oxidative damage in various inflammation models. This study aimed to evaluate its effects on oxida-tive stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and neurological re-covery in an experimental rabbit spinal cord ischemia/ reperfusion injury (SCIRI) model. -METHODS: Rabbits were randomized into 5 groups of 8 animals each: group 1 (control), group 2 (ischemia), group 3 (vehicle), group 4 (methylprednisolone, 30 mg/kg), and group 5 (DXP, 500 mg/kg). The control group underwent laparotomy only, whereas other groups were subjected to spinal cord ischemia by aortic occlusion (just caudal to the 2 renal arteries) for 20 min. After 24 h, a modified Tarlov scale was employed to record neurological examination results. Malondialdehyde and caspase-3 levels and cata-lase and myeloperoxidase activities were analyzed in tis-sue and serum samples. Xanthine oxidase activity was measured in the serum. Histopathological and ultrastruc-tural evaluations were also performed in the spinal cord. -RESULTS: After SCIRI, serum and tissue malondialde-hyde and caspase-3 levels and myeloperoxidase and serum xanthine oxidase activities were increased (P < 0.05-0.001). However, serum and tissue catalase activity decreased significantly (P < 0.001). DXP treatment was associated with lower malondialdehyde and caspase-3 levels and reduced myeloperoxidase and xanthine oxi-dase activities but increased catalase activity (P < 0.05-0.001). Furthermore, DXP was associated with better his-topathological, ultrastructural, and neurological outcome scores. -CONCLUSIONS: This study was the first to evaluate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and neuro-protective effects of DXP on SCIRI. Further experimental and clinical investigations are warranted to confirm that DXP can be administered to treat SCIRI.

Automated summary

This study demonstrated the antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and neuroprotective effects of Dexpanthenol on spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury in rabbits. Dexpanthenol treatment was associated with lower oxidative stress levels and improved neurological outcomes, indicating its potential as a new approach for SCIRI treatment.