Novel Regenerative Drug, SPG302 Promotes Functional Recovery of Diaphragm Muscle Activity After Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

J Physiol, 2023 · DOI: 10.1113/JP284004 · Published: June 1, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Pulmonology

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the effects of a new drug, SPG302, on diaphragm muscle function after a cervical spinal cord injury in rats. The researchers assessed diaphragm muscle activity and pressure during various breathing and non-breathing behaviors. The study found that SPG302 treatment improved diaphragm muscle activity and pressure in rats with spinal cord injuries. This suggests that SPG302 could be a potential therapy for spinal cord injuries. SPG302 is a novel type of pegylated benzothiazole derivative, to assess whether enhancing synaptogenesis will improve the incidence and the magnitude of recovery of DIAm EMG activity and Pdi function 14-days post C2SH.

Study Duration

14 days

Participants

33 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
C2SH causes marked EMG deficits across ventilatory behaviours
2
C2SH causes significant impairments in DIAm Pdi during eupnoea, HH, occlusion and Pdimax
3
14-day treatment with SPG302 following C2SH significantly increases the incidence and magnitude of DIAm EMG recovery

Research Summary

This study investigates the effects of SPG302, a novel regenerative drug, on diaphragm muscle (DIAm) function following cervical spinal cord hemisection (C2SH) in rats. The researchers assessed DIAm electromyography (EMG) and transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) during various ventilatory and non-ventilatory behaviors. The study found that C2SH caused significant EMG and Pdi deficits. However, 14-day treatment with SPG302 significantly increased the incidence and magnitude of DIAm EMG recovery and ameliorated DIAm Pdi deficits. The results suggest that SPG302 is a promising therapeutic agent for improving functional outcomes following spinal cord injury by enhancing synaptogenesis.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

SPG302 shows promise as a therapeutic for improving diaphragm function after spinal cord injury.

Synaptogenesis Enhancement

The study suggests that enhancing synaptogenesis can improve functional outcomes in spinal cord injury.

Clinical Translation

Further research is needed to determine the clinical applicability of SPG302 in human spinal cord injuries.

Study Limitations

1
Treatment with SPG302 started prior to our 3-day assessment of our C2SH lesion.
2
The study did not investigate the pharmacokinetics or timing of treatment with SPG302 in relation to C2SH
3
It remains unknown whether SPG302 will be effective in models that more closely approximate human spinal cord injuries

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