The Prtective Effect of Exogenous Oxygen and Superoxide Dismutase on Acute Spinal Cord Injury

Objective To investigate the protective effect of exogenous oxygen and superoxide dismutase (SOD) on acute spinal cord injury. Methods A rabbit model of L2 spinal cord injury was produced by Allen's method, and then the rabbits were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. In the experimental group, the rabbits received exogenous oxygen, SOD or both 30 min after injury. 12h after injury, the amount of MDA and SOD of spinal tissues were determined, and pathological changes of spinal cord were observed at the fourth weeks after injury. Results Combinant administration of exogenous oxygen and SOD could inhibit MDA production and increase SOD activities, effect of which was stronger that single administration (P0.05). The muscle force recovery of lower extremity was better in the treatment group than that in the control group (P0.05). The pathological lesions of spinal cord in the rabbits treated by combination administration were milder that those in the rabbits treated by single administration. Conclusion Combinant administration of SOD and exogenous oxygen could inhibit lipid peroxidation after spinal injury and had protective effects on the secondary spinal cord injury.