Effect of chondroitinase ABC on neurons after spinal cord injury in rats

Objective To investigate the effect of chondritinase ABC(ChABC)on the recovery of neurons after spinal cord injury(SCI) in rats.Methods Seventy-two SD rats were randomly divided into three groups:sham group,saline group and ChABC group.The SCI model of contusion was established according to the method of Allen′s and then the saline and ChABC group were treated every day for 1 week with saline,ChABC respectively by subarachnoid space catheter placed near the injury site.In 1 day and 1,2,4 weeks after injury,immunocytochemistry and image analysis methods were used to detect the change of the NF200 of the injuried spinal cord,Nissl′s staining for Nissl body and quantitative changes of nuerons,BBB score for the function of the hind limb.Results Statistic data indicated that there was no significant differences for NF200,nissl′s staining and BBB score between the saline and ChABC groups in 1d and 1 week after injury,but ChABC group was significantly superior to the saline group in 2 weeks and 4 weeks(P0.05).Conclusion ChABC can enhance the recovery of neurons and enhance the function of the hind limb after SCI.