Abstract:

To discuss the protective effect of zinc on spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats and provide the experimental basis for prevention of the disease. Methods 40 healthy rats were randomly divided into four groups: high dose zinc treatment group (20  mg·kg-1),low dose zinc treatment group （10  mg·kg^-1),spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury  model group and sham operation group. Before the establishment of the model of spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury,the rats in zinc treatment groups were administered with ZnSO4 solution daily by intraperitoneal injection for 5 d,while the equal volume normal saline was given to the rats in model group and sham operation group. Then the rats were subjected to spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury by abdominal aorta occlusion. After 45 min ischemia and 24 h reperfusion,the neurological function evaluation (Tarlov Scale) at 24 h after reperfusion was performed. And the pathohistological changes were observed by the methods of HE staining and Fast blue staining. Results The rats in model group showed different degrees of paralysis of posterior limbs. The neurological function results showed that the  neurological function of posterior limb of rats in zinc treatment groups was improved obviously and the neurological function evaluation was significantly higher than that in  model group(P<0.01). The pathohistological changes such as cellular edema,pyknosis,paramorphia,vascular engorgement,loose and loss of myelin sheath in white matter and so on could be observed in rats in model group. But the pathohistological changes in zinc treatment groups were improved,the cell morphology was normal and the rats in high dose zinc treatment group were better than those in low dose zinc treatment group. Conclusion Zinc in certain dose range can protect spinal cord from ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Key words: zinc;ischemia-reperfusion injury;protective effect