OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of quercetin on experimental spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats.

METHODSSixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: Group A only for laminectomy, Group B for laminectomy with SCI, Group C for SCI and intraperitoneal injection with a bolus of 200 mg/kg quercetin and Group D for SCI and intraperitoneal injection of saline. SCI model was made by using modified Allen's method on T(12). Six rats of each group were killed at 4 h after injury and the levels of free iron and malondialdehyde (MDA) of the involved spinal cord segments were measured by bleomycin and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assays separately. The recovery of hind limb function was assessed by Modified Tarlov's scale and inclined plane method at 7 d, 14 d and 21 d after SCI. The histological changes of the damaged spinal cord were also examined at 7 d after SCI.

RESULTSAfter SCI, the levels of free iron and MDA were significantly increased in Groups B and D, while not in Group C. The Modified Tarlov's score and the inclined plane angles were significantly decreased in Groups B, C and D. The histological findings were not improved.

CONCLUSIONSAfter SCI, quercetin can reduce the level of lipid peroxidation, but not improve recovery of function.