Protective effects of ischemic preconditioning on spinal cord ischemic injury

Objective: To evaluate the effects and possible mechanism of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on spinal cord ischemic injury. Methods: The study consisted of two groups of mature rabbits. A spinal cord ischemia model was established. IPC group (n=24), received clamping abdominal aorta 5 minutes and then de-clamping 15 minutes and finally clamping again for 40 minutes. Control group (n=24), received 40 minutes clamping only. SOD in cerebrospinal fluid, LPO in spinal cord and content of water of spinal cord were measured at six different time intervals: before clamping after de-clamping 0, 2, 8, 24 and 72 hour. Nervous function of lower extremities was observed. Results: The activities of SOD in IPC group was higher (P0.05), the state of nervous function was better in IPC group. The level of LPO and content of water of spinal cord in IPC group were lower. Conclusion: IPC can offer protection for spinal cord ischemia injury. The possible mechanism of IPC may be inhibit in of the oxygen free radicals, thus decreases the ischemia-reperfusion injury of spinal cord.