Effects of isotretinoin and acitretin on neuroregeneration in experimental spinal cord injury

This study investigates whether isotretinoin and acitretin, derivatives of vitamin A used for skin diseases, can protect neural tissue after acute spinal cord injury (ASCI) in rats. Rats were divided into groups receiving either isotretinoin or acitretin for 14 or 28 days after SCI, and their motor function and spinal cord tissue were analyzed. The study found that both drugs improved motor function and reduced neuronal apoptosis, suggesting potential neuroprotective effects that could benefit patients with spinal cord injuries.

• 1
  The inclined plane angle, a measure of motor function, significantly increased in the isotretinoin and acitretin groups compared to the spinal injury group on both the 14th and 28th days.
• 2
  The Drummond–Moore criterion, another measure of motor function, was significantly higher in the acitretin group compared to the injury group.
• 3
  Cleaved Caspase-3 expression, an indicator of apoptosis, was significantly decreased in the acitretin groups compared to the spinal injury and isotretinoin groups.