Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
-
J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Apr 2019
Minocycline Before Aortic Occlusion Reduces Hindlimb Motor Impairment, Attenuates Spinal Cord Damage and Spinal Astrocytosis, and Preserve Neuronal Cytoarchitecture in the Rat.
Spinal cord ischemia secondary to trauma or a vascular occlusive event is a threatening phenomenon. The neuroprotective properties of minocycline have been shown in several models of central nervous system diseases and after spinal cord ischemia; however, the benefit of using the drug requires additional confirmation in different animal models. Astrocytes are essential as regulators of neuronal functions and for providing nutrients. The authors hypothesized that astrocytes in the spinal cord may be an important target for minocycline action after ischemia and thus in the prevention of secondary spreading damage. ⋯ This study's data imply that minocycline may attenuate reactive astrocytosis in response to injury with better neurologic outcome in a model of spinal cord ischemia in rats. The data suggest that future use of minocycline, clinically, might be advantageous in surgeries with a potential risk for paraplegia due to spinal cord ischemia.