Effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone on Na(+)-K(+)-Adenosine triphosphatase activity following experimental spinal cord trauma.

The effect of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on spinal cord Na+-K+-adenosine triphosphatase (Na+-K+-ATPase) activity after spinal cord injury was evaluated in rats. The rats were injured by compression of the cord at T-10 for 1 minute with a 50-g clip. Saline in the placebo group (n = 8) and TRH (0.6 mg per dose) in the TRH group (n = 9) were administered intraperitoneally as bolus injections in two doses, at 45 and 120 minutes after the injury. The Na+-K+-ATPase activity level in the TRH group was significantly higher (p = 0.024) than in placebo group. These results indicate a possible role for TRH treatment in spinal cord injury.