Effect of high dose methylprednisolone on heat shock protein 27 expression after spinal cord injury

Objective To investigate the effect of high dose methylprednisolone(MP) on heat shock protein27 (HSP27) expression after spinal cord injury. Methods The 90 rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal group, control group, methyprednisolone treat group. Improved Allen's weight drop model of acute spinal cord injury was prepared to study the pathological changes of spinal cord. Then after 6 houm,24 hours and 7 days later,the spinal cords were taken out and cut,then the pathological changes of spinal cord cells with HE staining and the expression of HSP27 in spinal cord cells withimmunohistochemieal staining were observed respectively. The data were analysed with SPSS software. Results ①The expression of HSP27 which was a protective to central nerves in the MP treatment groups was up - regulated. The quantity of HSP27 inspinal cord cells in control groups and MP treatment groups had a difference in statistics (P<0.05). ②The pathological changes of spinal cord cells were significantly improved in MP treatment groups. Conclusion The present results indicate that high - dose methylpred- nisolone treatment in an early period induees the up - regulation of HSP27 and it might provoeate and enhance the self- protection and self - repair of the injured central nerves in view of morphology. Key words: Methylprednisolone; Spinal cord injury;  Heat - Shock - Protein 27;  Immunohistochemical staining