open access

Vol 55, No 1 (2017)
Original paper
Submitted: 2016-04-23
Accepted: 2017-03-19
Published online: 2017-03-23
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Histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of secondary compressed spinal cord injury in a rat model

Wafaa S. Ramadan, Ghada A. Abdel-Hamid, Saleh Al-Karim, Aymn T. Abbas
·
Pubmed: 28509312
·
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2017;55(1):11-20.

open access

Vol 55, No 1 (2017)
ORIGINAL PAPERS
Submitted: 2016-04-23
Accepted: 2017-03-19
Published online: 2017-03-23

Abstract

Introduction. Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-disrupting condition in which the first few days are the most critical. Secondary conditions remain the main causes of death for people with SCI. The response of different cell types to SCI and their role at different times in the progression of secondary degeneration are not well understood. The aim of this study was to study the histopathological changes of compressed spinal cord injury (CSCI) in a rat model.

Material and methods. Forty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. In group I, the rats were left without any surgical intervention (control). In group II, the rats were subjected to laminectomy without spinal cord compression (sham-operated). In group III, the rats were sacrificed one day after CSCI. In group IV, the rats were sacrificed seven days after CSCI. The light microscopy was employed to study the morphology using H&E, osmic acid staining and immunohistochemistry to detect glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The electron microscopy was applied for ultrastructure study.

Results. Histopathological examination of the posterior funiculus of the white matter revealed minute hemorrhages and localized necrotic areas on day 1, which transformed to areas of cavitation and fibrinoid necrosis surrounded by a demarcating rim of numerous astrocytes by day 7. The mean percentage of area of GFAP expression increased significantly by day 7. Osmic acid staining revealed swollen nerve fibers after one day, while numerous fibers had been lost by day 7. An ultrastructure study revealed swollen redundant thinned myelin and myelin splitting, as well as degeneration of axoplasm on day 1. On day 7, layers of the myelin sheath were folded and wrinkled with partial or complete demyelination areas. The myelin lamellae were disorganized and loose. The G-ratio was significantly greater on day 1 than day 7 after CSCI.

Conclusions. In the rat model of CSCI details of the progressive spinal cord injury can be analyzed by morphological methods and may be helpful in the identification of the onset and type of clinical intervention.

Abstract

Introduction. Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-disrupting condition in which the first few days are the most critical. Secondary conditions remain the main causes of death for people with SCI. The response of different cell types to SCI and their role at different times in the progression of secondary degeneration are not well understood. The aim of this study was to study the histopathological changes of compressed spinal cord injury (CSCI) in a rat model.

Material and methods. Forty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. In group I, the rats were left without any surgical intervention (control). In group II, the rats were subjected to laminectomy without spinal cord compression (sham-operated). In group III, the rats were sacrificed one day after CSCI. In group IV, the rats were sacrificed seven days after CSCI. The light microscopy was employed to study the morphology using H&E, osmic acid staining and immunohistochemistry to detect glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The electron microscopy was applied for ultrastructure study.

Results. Histopathological examination of the posterior funiculus of the white matter revealed minute hemorrhages and localized necrotic areas on day 1, which transformed to areas of cavitation and fibrinoid necrosis surrounded by a demarcating rim of numerous astrocytes by day 7. The mean percentage of area of GFAP expression increased significantly by day 7. Osmic acid staining revealed swollen nerve fibers after one day, while numerous fibers had been lost by day 7. An ultrastructure study revealed swollen redundant thinned myelin and myelin splitting, as well as degeneration of axoplasm on day 1. On day 7, layers of the myelin sheath were folded and wrinkled with partial or complete demyelination areas. The myelin lamellae were disorganized and loose. The G-ratio was significantly greater on day 1 than day 7 after CSCI.

Conclusions. In the rat model of CSCI details of the progressive spinal cord injury can be analyzed by morphological methods and may be helpful in the identification of the onset and type of clinical intervention.

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Keywords

rat; compressed spinal cord injury; morphology; GFAP; myelin fibers; electron microscopy

About this article
Title

Histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study of secondary compressed spinal cord injury in a rat model

Journal

Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica

Issue

Vol 55, No 1 (2017)

Article type

Original paper

Pages

11-20

Published online

2017-03-23

Page views

2519

Article views/downloads

2582

DOI

10.5603/FHC.a2017.0001

Pubmed

28509312

Bibliographic record

Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2017;55(1):11-20.

Keywords

rat
compressed spinal cord injury
morphology
GFAP
myelin fibers
electron microscopy

Authors

Wafaa S. Ramadan
Ghada A. Abdel-Hamid
Saleh Al-Karim
Aymn T. Abbas

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