The effects of tyrphostine Ag 556 on experimental spinal cord ischemia reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND

To investigate the effects of Tyrphostin Ag 556 on spinal cord ischemia reperfusion injury.

METHODS

The inhibition of tyrosine kinase may represent a novel approach in the treatment of spinal cord ischemia reperfusion injury. Recently, a family of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, the tyrphostins, has been successfully used in models of endotoxemia, peritonitis, and hypovolemic shock.

METHODS

Twenty-four Wistar rats were used in the study. Rats were divided into 4 groups of 6 animals. The groups were named as sham operated group, injury group, vehicle group, and treatment group. Clamping of the abdominal aorta was performed for 45 minutes with all of the groups except sham-operated group. All of the rats were sacrificed 24 hours after the operation for biochemical and ultrastructural studies.

RESULTS

Tyrphostin Ag 556 treatment was found effective on experimental spinal cord ischemia reperfusion injury. The Malondialdehyde (MDA) values of the treatment group were statistically significant lower then the other reperfusion injury groups. The histologic examination showed better cellular structure in the treatment group than the other reperfusion injury groups. The neurologic scores of the treatment group also improved after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Tyrphostin Ag 556 alters spinal cord ischemia reperfusion injury by inhibiting protein kinases. Further investigations will be required to determine the long-term effects of this drug.