Effects of erythropoietin on the volume of infarction after spinal cord ischemia model [Spinal kord Iskemi modelinde eritropoeitinin Infarkt alani{dotless}na etkisi]

Background: in this study we aimed to investigate the effects of intravenous erythropoietin on motor neuron cells and volume of infarction in a rabbit model of spinal cord ischemia of 40 minutes. methods: seventeen new zealand rabbits were used. abdominal aorta was occluded for 40 minutes to induce spinal cord ischemia. subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups. in the control group (n=7) we infused physiological saline solution while 1000 u/kg of erythropoietin in the group erythropoietin (n=7). motor functions were evaluated with criteria of drummond and moore at times 1.,24.,48.,and 72th hours. at the third postoperative day subjects were infused with high dose of thiopental and their spinal cords were removed. the number of viable motor neurons and the volume of infarction were obtained in the ischemic regions. comparisons regarding motor functions and infarct volumes revealed significant differences. results: erythropoietin treated animals not only neurological functions were improved,but also number of motor neurons as well as the volume of infarction were decreased clearly in ischemic regions (1,48 ± 0,69 % vs 2,00 ± 1,28 %). conclusion: since erythropoietin seemed to protect the rabbits against neurological deterioration even after 40 minutes of spinal cord ischemia,transferring these findings to clinical studies designed for spinal cord ischemia may improve the outcome expectations.