Establishment and Functional Evaluation of a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury

Objective:To explore the modified Allen impactor method in establishing a rat model of spinal cord injury,and to preliminarily evaluate the motor function of the forelimbs and hindlimbs of rats.Methods:Thirty female SD rats with a body weight of 255±21g were randomly divided into two groups,namely the sham-operated group and the operated group,with 15 rats in each group.The spinal cord injury SD rat model was established by exposing but not injuring the spinal cord in the sham-operated group,while the SD rat model was established by the modified Allen impactor method in the operated group.The Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan(BBB)rating scale was used to assess the rats’hindlimb motor neurobehavior.A rat model of spinal cord injury was established by the modified Allen impactor method.After the cells were transplanted,the BBB score was used to evaluate the motor function;the changes in the motor function of rats with spinal cord injury were detected.Results:The motor function and sensory function of the forelimbs and hindlimbs of the rats showed significant changes after five days.The motor function of the forelimbs and hindlimbs of the rats in the sham-operated group were essentially normal after three days(about 20 points);the sensory function of the rats in the operated group decreased significantly after five days;however,in the sham-operated group,it decreased to 0.The motor function scores of the rats in the operated group at each point of time were significantly lower than those in the sham-operated group(p<0.05),while the forelimb motor function scores were significantly higher than those in the sham-operated group(p<0.05).Conclusion:The modified Allen impactor method that was used to establish a rat model of spinal cord injury in this study can significantly reduce the motor function of rats.

犬腰椎急性脊髓损伤模型的建立

为了建立犬急性脊髓损伤模型,观察犬在急性脊髓损伤后的运动功能变化,为临床脊髓损伤机制研究提供试验动物模型参考,试验以12只比格犬为试验动物,通过血常规及血液生化指标的检测进行术前评估,随机分为3组,分别为急性脊髓损伤(ASCI)组、假手术组和对照组,每组4只。ASCI组用自制改良的Allen’s撞击器,以385 gcm致损能量损伤犬腰椎L1~L3;假手术组仅手术暴露犬L1~L3脊髓;对照组试验犬正常饲养,不做任何处理。在手术前后采用德克萨斯州脊髓损伤评分(texas spinal cord injury score,TSCIS)法对各组试验犬进行行为学评价。结果表明:血常规及血液生化指标检测结果提示各组试验犬身体健康,可以进行手术。ASCI组犬打击后硬膜完整,脊髓水肿、充血,术后X光片可见L1~L3椎板棘突已成功去除。术后第3~18天,与假手术组相比,ASCI组TSCIS评分均显著降低(P<0.05)。说明采用改良后的Allen’s重物打击法可成功建立犬腰椎急性脊髓损伤模型,具有良好的操作性及重复性。