Issue release date: 08.03.2024
5,7,8Baskent University, Neurosurgery, Ankara, Turkey
2,6Ministry of Health, Ankara Dışkapı Education and Research Hospital, Neurosurgery, Ankara, Turkey
3Baskent University, Pathology, Ankara, Turkey
4Başkent University, Histology and Embryology, Ankara, Turkey BACKGROUND: Nogo-A is a myelin-associated neurite outgrowth inhibitory protein that limits elongation of central nerve fibers, neuronal regeneration and plasticity. We investigated the effect of delivering an inhibitory peptide that neutralizes Nogo-A on neuronal recovery following mild cortical contusion injury.
METHODS: 41 rats were allocated into the control and NEP1-40 treatment groups. PBS was applied following trauma over the parietal cortex after opening the dura in the control group. NEP1-40 solution was immediately applied following trauma after opening the dura in the treatment group. Each group was further divided into 3 subgroups and sacrificed on the third, eighth, and 21st days after injury. The brains were removed for analysis.
RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining of the injured cortex for pan-cadherin revealed a significant increase in staining in the NEP 1-40 treatment group at the 8th and 21st days after injury. Electron microscopic evaluation revealed better cytoarchitectural preservation in the axons of the animals treated with NEP 1-40.
CONCLUSION: We observed improved preservation of injured neurons after topical application of NEP 1-40 following mild cortical injury. Pan-cadherin expression may correlate with the recovery of neurons and axonal bodies. Electron microscopical findings confirmed better preservation of neuronal structures after NEP1-40 treatment. Pan-cadherin is a good marker for neuronal recovery after cortical injury.
Keywords : Mild cortical contusion injury, Motor recovery, NCAM, Neuroregeneration, Nogo-A, Pan-cadherin