Abstract:

Objective To detect expression changes of regeneration gene protein (Reg)-2 in rats with different degrees of spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods Thirty SPF Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal control group, sham operation group, slight injury group (injury energy: 25 g·cm), moderate injury group (injury energy: 50 g·cm), and severe injury group (injury energy: 75 g·cm). The SCI model rats were established with own-made device by modified Allen's crush method. The combine behavioral score (CBS) of injury groups rats were assessed in 1, 3, 5, and 7 d after injury. The rats were sacrificed at 7 d after surgery, then the content of Reg-2 mRNA and expression of Reg-2 were detected with RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry assay, respectively. Results The results of CBS in injury groups, which were higher than that in normal control group, declined gradually with the lapse of injury time, and the differences in every injury group were statistically significant (P＜0.05). The contents of Reg-2 mRNA and Reg-2 in injury groups, which were higher than that in normal control group (P＜0.05), elevated with the severity of injury. The differences of Reg-2 mRNA and Reg-2 among every injury group were statistically significant (P<0.05). In slight injury group, the Reg-2 positive cells were mainly neurons, but in severe injury group they were mainly neurogliocytes. Conclusion Reg-2 could improve the function of neurons after SCI, which was dependent on the injury degree.

Key words: spinal cord injury, injury degree, regeneration gene protein-2, RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry