Effect of high dose methylprednisolone on cell apoptosis after spinal cord injury

Objective To investigate the effect of high dose methylprednisolone(MP) on cell apoptosis after spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods Sixty experimental rats were divided equally into 2 groups, Allen's weight drop spinal cord injury and high dose methylprednisolone group (Group A) and Allen's weight drop injury group (Group B). The cell apoptosis of spinal slice from the injured spinal cord was examined by the terminal deoxynucleotidal transferase mediated DUTP biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) reaction, and the expression of Bcl 2 measured immunohistochemically 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days post operatively. The positive cells were quantitated by a computer image analysis system. Results Positive expression of apoptotic cells and Bcl 2 protein appeared both in Group A and Group B. SCI for 3 days, the computer image analysis system showed the apoptosis rate was 12.43 ± 5.16 in Group A and 36.27±6.28 in Group B; Bcl 2 protein expression positive cells were 37.68±5.83 in Group A and 21.48 ± 7.83 in Group B. There was a significant statistic difference remained between Group A and Group B ( P 0.01 and 0.05 ). Conclusions The high dose methylprednisolone can inhibit apoptosis after SCI.