Effects of Methylprednisolone in the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injuries by Evaluation of microRNA-21: An Experimental Study.


Abdallah A., Tekin A., Oztanir M. N., Süsgün S., Yabacı A., Çınar İ., ...More

Journal of neurological surgery. Part A, Central European neurosurgery, vol.84, no.3, pp.240-246, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 84 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1055/s-0042-1743552
  • Journal Name: Journal of neurological surgery. Part A, Central European neurosurgery
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Page Numbers: pp.240-246
  • Keywords: spinal cord injury, miR-21, methylprednisolone, real-time PCR, HIGH-DOSE METHYLPREDNISOLONE, FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY, EXPRESSION, APOPTOSIS, INFLAMMATION, PDCD4
  • Bezmialem Vakıf University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background and Study Aims Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most complicated pathologies that affect active young males. miR-21 primarily regulates several cellular processes. We aimed to elucidate the regulatory role of miR-21 and test methylprednisolone as a disease-modifying agent on experimental SCI tissues. Methods A total of 36 8- to 10-week-old adult female Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250 to 300 g were used. Animals were randomly divided into six groups. Except for groups 1 and 4, the spinal trauma model was applied to all animal groups using the clipping method. In groups 3 and 6, methylprednisolone was given. For real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) investigations, rats in groups 1, 2, and 3 were reoperated on after the first postoperative day, whereas those in groups 4, 5, and 6 were reoperated on after postoperative day 7 and spinal cord samples from the laminectomy area were removed for gene expression analysis. Relative gene expression of miR-21, Gfap , Vim , Stat3 , Faslg , Pten , Bax , Bcl2 , Cox2 , and Il6 were determined with quantitative reverse transcription (qRT) PCR. Results In group 3, the miR-21 expression significantly increased compared with groups 1 and 2. When compared with group 3, a decrease in miR-21 expression was observed in group 6 ( p < 0.05). When compared with group 4, group 6 had lower levels of Gfap , Pten , Stat3 , and Bax ( p < 0.05). Conclusions miR-21 supports the beneficial aspects of the body's healing mechanisms following SCI. In the acute phase, the use of methylprednisolone increases miR-21 expression in the early period of trauma. Methylprednisolone increases some astrogliosis and inflammation biomarkers' levels; however, it did not affect the apoptotic biomarkers.