The Relation between Alteration of Platelet Active Factor Levels in Spinal Cord Tissue and Spinal Cord Edema after Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord contussion in cats was made by Allen's improved method. Platelet active factor (PAF) levels and water content in injured spinal cord tissue and adjacent spinal cord tissue to the injured were measured from 2 hours to 1 week after spinal cord injury. The results showed that PAF levels and water content in the injured spinal cord tissue and the adjacent spinal cord tissue increased significantly in 2 to 72 hours after trauma as compared to the control group ( P 0.01). PAF levels and water content in the adjacent spinal cord tissue had no significant difference between 1 week after trauma group and the control group ( P 0.05). It is considered that PAF plays an important role in production and development of spinal cord edema after trauma. (Original article on page 332)