Establishment and Functional Evaluation of a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury

Objective: To explore the modified Allen impactor method in establishing a rat model of spinal cord injury, and to preliminarily evaluate the motor function of the forelimbs and hindlimbs of rats. Methods: Thirty female SD rats with a body weight of 255 ± 21g were randomly divided into two groups, namely the sham-operated group and the operated group, with 15 rats in each group. The spinal cord injury SD rat model was established by exposing but not injuring the spinal cord in the sham-operated group, while the SD rat model was established by the modified Allen impactor method in the operated group. The Basso–Beattie–Bresnahan (BBB) rating scale was used to assess the rats’ hindlimb motor neurobehavior. A rat model of spinal cord injury was established by the modified Allen impactor method. After the cells were transplanted, the BBB score was used to evaluate the motor function; the changes in the motor function of rats with spinal cord injury were detected. Results: The motor function and sensory function of the forelimbs and hindlimbs of the rats showed significant changes after five days. The motor function of the forelimbs and hindlimbs of the rats in the sham-operated group were essentially normal after three days (about 20 points); the sensory function of the rats in the operated group decreased significantly after five days; however, in the sham-operated group, it decreased to 0. The motor function scores of the rats in the operated group at each point of time were significantly lower than those in the sham-operated group (p < 0.05), while the forelimb motor function scores were significantly higher than those in the sham-operated group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The modified Allen impactor method that was used to establish a rat model of spinal cord injury in this study can significantly reduce the motor function of rats.