Neuroprotective effects of magnesium sulfate on experimental spinal cord injury in rats

Objectives:To investigate the protective effect of magnesium sulfate(MgSO 4) on the injuried spinal cord in SD rats and its possible mechanism so as to seek a novel approch to allievate the secondary spinal cord injury. Methods:All the 48 adult rats were made as hemi section models at the lumbar enlargement and divided into two groups:single spinal cord injury(SCI) group, SCI with MgSO 4 treatment group. The activity of SOD and the concentration of MDA of the spinal cord tissue in the injuried site were measured at 4,8,24 h after reagents were subcutaniously injected 1 h after SCI.Moreover, the concentration of intracellular Ca 2+ at the injury site was assessed at the same time.Functional status was assessed by the slope test at 8 hour, 1 day, 1 week respectively. Results: Activity of SOD was elevated and the level of MDA was reduced significantly in the mammals treated with MgSO 4( P 0.01). The intracellular Ca 2+ was decreased markedly at various time point. Conclusions:Treatment with MgSO 4 can alleviate the lipid peroxidation and calcium influx resulted from secondary damage and thus show a promising future for treatment of SCI.