Hydrogen-rich saline injection into the subarachnoid cavity within 2 weeks promotes recovery after acute spinal cord injury

Hydrogen can relieve tissue-damaging oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis. Injection of hydrogen-rich saline is an effective method for transporting molecular hydrogen. We hypothesized that hydrogen-rich saline would promote the repair of spinal cord injury induced by Allen＇s method in rats. At 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours after injury, then once daily for 2 weeks, 0.25 mL/kg hydrogen-rich saline was infused into the subarachnoid space through a catheter. Results at 24 hours, 48 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks after injury showed that hydrogen-rich saline markedly reduced cell death, inflammatory cell infiltration, serum malondialdehyde content, and caspa se-3 immunoreactivity, elevated serum superoxide dismutase activity and calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactivity, and improved motor function in the hindlimb. The present study confirms that hydrogen-rich saline injected within 2 weeks of injury effectively contributes to the repair of spinal cord injury in the acute stage.

Evolutions of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties in Mg-5Li-1Zn-0.5Ag-0.5Zr-xGd Alloy

The evolution of the microstructure and mechanical properties of alloy system with nominally composition Mg-5Li-1Zn-0.5Ag-0.5Zr-xGd(x=0,1.2,2.4,3.6,4.8,6)is evaluated based on computational phase diagram and corresponding experimental studies.The results show that grains are significantly refined with the increase of Gd content.The main phases of as-cast alloys areα-Mg,β-Li,AgLi_(2)Mg,and Mg_(3)Gd.With the increase of Gd content,the amounts of Mg_(3)Gd phase andβ-Li phase have been increased.When the Gd content exceeds 3.6 wt%,Mg_(3)Gd phase precipitates in a form of the network at the grain boundaries.The precipitation ofβ-Li can be attributed to the competitive dissolution of Zn,Gd,and Li in Mg.Meanwhile,γ″is formed after the addition of Gd,which grows and transforms intoγ′with the increase of Gd content.In solidification process,stacking faults are formed by solid transformation of partialα-Mg and Mg_(3)Gd.Eventually,with the synergistic effect of Mg_(3)Gd,β-Li,andγ″(orγ′),as the Gd content increasing,the tensile strength of the alloy first increases,then decreases,and the elongation decreases.When the content of Gd is 4.8 wt%,the ultimate tensile strength and yield strength reach the maximum values of 227 MPa and 139 MPa,and the elongation is 18.1%,respectively.

Influence of Voltage on the Corrosion and Wear Resistance of MicroArc Oxidation Coating on Mg-8Li-2Ca Alloy

Calcium phosphate(CaP) coatings were prepared on Mg–8Li–2Ca magnesium alloy by micro-arc oxidation(MAO) in an alkaline Na_3PO_4–Ca[C_3H_7O_6P] base solution at the different applied voltages. Scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction were employed to characterize the microstructure and phase composition of the coatings, respectively. The corrosion resistance of the coatings was assessed by potential dynamic polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and hydrogen evolution experiment in simulated body fluids solution. The friction and wear properties were evaluated by friction and wear testing machine. The results demonstrate that the coating surface is porous and mainly composed of MgO, Ca_5(PO_4)_3(OH) and CaH_2P_2O_5. With the increase in voltage, the corrosion resistance and wear resistance of the MAO coating are both enhanced. The corrosion current density of the MAO coating decreases about two orders of the magnitude compared to the substrate. Additionally, wear and corrosion mechanisms are discussed.