Turkish Neurosurgery 2016 , Vol 26 , Num 3
Histopathological Evaluation of the Effects of CAPE in Experimental Spinal Cord Injury
Hasan Emre AYDIN1, Emre OZKARA2, Zuhtu OZBEK2, Murat VURAL2, Dilek BURUKOGLU3, Ali ARSLANTAS2, Metin Ant ATASOY2
1Eskisehir State Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Eskisehir, Turkey
2Osmangazi University, School of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Eskisehir, Turkey
3Osmangazi University, School of Medicine, Department of Histology, Eskisehir, Turkey
DOI : 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.11255-14.0 AIM: Spinal cord injuries negatively affect the individuals and the life quality of their families due to neurological deficits caused by trauma. The prevalence of spinal cord injury is 15-45/1 million in the world. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is the most active component of propolis and has neuroprotective, anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic effects. Our aim was to determine the effects of CAPE on the prevention of secondary injury and to compare with methylprednisolone.

MATERIAL and METHODS: Forty rats were divided into 4 groups. The control group did not undergo surgery (Group I), only trauma group (Group II), trauma+CAPE treatment group (Group III), and trauma+methylprednisolone treatment group (Group IV). Histopathological assessment was performed with two staining methods as hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Biotin - dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL). The groups were statistically compared.

RESULTS: The apoptotic cells decreased in treatment groups compared with the trauma. CAPE has more anti-apoptotic effect than methylprednisolone. The histological difference between the Group II, and Groups III and IV was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: CAPE has a positive effect on spinal cord injuries by preventing apoptosis. Keywords : Apoptosis, CAPE, Propolis, Spinal cord injury, TUNEL

Corresponding author : Hasan Emre Aydın, dremreaydin@gmail.com