Basic fibroblast growth factor attenuates the degeneration of injured spinal cord motor endplates

Neural Regeneration Research, 2013 · DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.24.001 · Published: August 1, 2013

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Neurology

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries can lead to the degeneration of the nerve-muscle connection points (motor endplates), hindering muscle function recovery. This study investigates how basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) can protect these motor endplates after spinal cord injury. The study found that bFGF can protect the motor endplate by increasing the expression of specific proteins (calcitonin gene related peptide and acetylcholinesterase) in the motor neurons of the spinal cord. This protection helps in the recovery of motor function. Administering bFGF directly into the spinal cord (via subarachnoid catheter) can reduce side effects compared to systemic administration, allowing the drug to target the injury site more effectively.

Study Duration

8 weeks

Participants

45 Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Basic fibroblast growth factor promotes the recovery of hindlimb locomotor function in rats with spinal cord injury.
2
Basic fibroblast growth factor improved the pathological changes of injured spinal cord and anterior tibial muscle in rats.
3
Basic fibroblast growth factor increased calcitonin gene related peptide and acetylcholinesterase expression in spinal cord and anterior tibial muscle of rats with spinal cord injury.

Research Summary

This study investigates the protective effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on motor endplates after spinal cord injury in rats. The distal end of the spinal cord and neuromuscular junction may develop secondary degeneration and damage following spinal cord injury because of the loss of neural connections. The study found that bFGF can protect the endplate through attenuating the decreased expression of calcitonin gene related peptide and acetylcholinesterase in anterior horn motor neurons of the injured spinal cord. The findings suggest that bFGF administration can promote motor neuron synthesis and release of motor endplate protective factors, preventing motor endplate degeneration and promoting motor function recovery.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

bFGF could be a therapeutic agent for protecting motor endplates and improving motor function recovery after spinal cord injury.

Targeted Drug Delivery

Subarachnoid catheter administration of bFGF offers a targeted approach, minimizing systemic side effects.

Understanding Degeneration

The study provides insights into the mechanisms of motor endplate degeneration following spinal cord injury.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on rats, and results may not directly translate to humans.
2
The long-term effects of bFGF administration were not assessed.
3
The precise molecular mechanisms underlying bFGF's protective effects require further investigation.

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