Antibiotics with therapeutic effects on spinal cord injury: a review

Accumulating evidence indicates that a considerable number of antibiotics exert anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in different central and peripheral nervous system diseases including spinal cord injury (SCI). Both clinical and preclinical studies on SCI have found therapeutic effects of antibiotics from different families on SCI. These include macrolides, minocycline, beta-lactams, and dapsone, all of which have been found to improve SCI sequels and complications. These antibiotics may target similar signaling pathways such as reducing inflammatory microglial activity, promoting autophagy, inhibiting neuronal apoptosis, and modulating the SCI-related mitochondrial dysfunction. In this review paper, we will discuss the mechanisms underlying therapeutic effects of these antibiotics on SCI, which not only could supply vital information for investigators but also guide clinicians to consider administering these antibiotics as part of a multimodal therapeutic approach for management of SCI and its complications.

Automated summary

This review paper discusses the therapeutic effects of antibiotics on spinal cord injury, which include anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Different families of antibiotics have been found to improve the sequels and complications of spinal cord injury by targeting similar signaling pathways. The mechanisms include reducing inflammatory microglial activity, promoting autophagy, inhibiting neuronal apoptosis, and modulating SCI-related mitochondrial dysfunction.