Changes of intracellular calcium and the correlation with functional damage of the spinal cord after spinal cord injury

Objective: To observe dynamic changes of intracellular calcium (i) after spinal cord injury, and to study the relationship between the changes of i and the functional damage of the spinal cord. Methods: The rats were subjected to a spinal cord contusion by using a modified Allen’s method. The i in the injured segment of the spinal cord was measured by the technique of La 3+ blockage and atomic absorption spectroscopy at 1, 4, 8, 24, 72, and 168 hours after injury. The motor function on the inclined plane was measured at the same time. Results: The spinal cord i increased significantly (P< 0.05 or P< 0.01) after spinal cord injury. There was a significant correlation (P< 0.05) between the changes of i and the motor function. Conclusions: i overload may play an important role in the pathogenesis of spinal cord injury.