Antiapoptotic and neuroprotective effects of mycophenolate mofetil after acute spinal cord injury in young rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible beneficial effects of mycophenolate mofetil in comparison with methylprednisolone in an experimental model of spinal cord injury in young rats. Young female Wistar albino rats weighing 100-120 g were used in this study. The animals were anesthetized, the paravertebral muscles were dissected to expose thoracic spinal nerve 7 (T7)-T11 vertebrae, and the spinal cord was exposed at T8-T10 levels by laminectomy with the assistance of a surgical microscope. Weight-drop trauma model was used to perform spinal cord trauma. The animals were subjected to an impact of 50 g/cm to the dorsal surface of the spinal cord. The animals were divided into six groups, and all the groups include 12 animals. Group 1 laminectomy, group 2 laminectomy + trauma, group 3 was treated with mycophenolate mofetil, group 4 was treated with methylprednisolone, group5 was treated with mycophenolate mofetil + methylprednisolone, and group 6 served as a vehicle. Immediately after the trauma, 25 mg/kg mycophenolate mofetil (to group 3 and 5) and 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone (to group 4 and 5) were given in a single dose. Biochemical, behavioral, pathological, and immunohistochemical analysis were done. Significant decrease in the number of apoptotic cells were detected in the lesion zone 24 h after the spinal cord injury with the mycophenolate mofetil treatment group. Histologic and functional recovery was also significant. Our results showed that the administration of mycophenolate mofetil on traumatic spinal cord injury decreases apoptosis and improves neurologic recovery.