Methylprednisolone (MP), a glucocorticoid steroid, has an anti-inflammatory action and seems to inhibit the formation of oxygen free radicals produced during lipid peroxidation in a spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the effects of MP on the functional recovery after a SCI is controversial. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of MP on the recovery of neural conduction following a SCI. A SCI was produced using the NYU spinal cord impactor. A behavioral test was conducted to measure neurological disorders, and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were recorded. According to the behavioral test, using BBB locomotor scaling, MP-treated animals showed improved functional recoveries when compared to salinetreated animals. MEP latencies in the MP-treated group were shortened when compared to those in the control group. Peak amplitudes of MEPs were larger in the MP-treated group than those in the control group. The thresholds of MEPs tended to be lower in the MP-treated group than those in the control group. These results suggest that MP may improve functional recovery after a SCI.
Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electrophysiology ; Evoked Potentials, Motor/*drug effects ; Free Radicals ; Glucocorticoids/metabolism ; Male ; Methylprednisolone/*pharmacology ; Neurons/*drug effects ; Oxygen/metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Glucocorticoid/metabolism ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Sodium Chloride/pharmacology ; Spinal Cord/pathology ; Spinal Cord Injuries/*drug therapy ; Time Factors