Caffeic acid phenethyl ester decreases oxidative stress index in blunt spinal cord injury in rats

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the total oxidant status and total antioxidant status of caffeic acid phenethyl ester and methylprednisolone in blunt spinal cord injury in rats. Methods: Twentyfour adult Wistar albino rats were randomised into three groups. Spinal cord injury was performed by the weight-drop model. Group 1 underwent laminectomy followed by spinal cord injury and received no medication (control group). Group 2 underwent laminectomy followed by spinal cord injury and received caffeic acid phenethyl ester (10 µmol/kg) by intraperitoneal injection. Group 3 underwent laminectomy followed by spinal cord injury and received methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection. Twenty-four hours later, all rats were sacrified and after that total oxidant status, total antioxidant status and oxidative stress index levels were determined in spinal cord tissues and the obtained results were compared. Results: The highest total antioxidant status level was observed in the caffeic acid phenethyl ester group and the highest total oxidant status level was observed in the control group. Oxidative stress index levels in the control group were statistically higher than the caffeic acid phenethyl ester and methylprednisolone groups (p<0.01).Conclusion: Based on our results, it is concluded that caffeic acid phenethyl ester might be a promising neuroprotective agent after spinal cord injury via its antioxidant effects. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2010;17:250-255)