The Effects of Octreotide Acetate on Spinal Cord Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Spinal cord injury effects social and economical life negatively with its high mortalitiy and morbidity. Paraplegia which occurs due to spinal ischemia, during thoracic and thorocoabdominal aorta surgery is still a serious complication. In this study, we investigate the possible neuroprotective effects of a strong antioxidant, free radical scavenger; octreotide acetate on a rabbit spinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury model. A total of 18 rabbits were divided into 3 groups of 6 rabbits each, as follows: group 1 (n=6) sham, laparotomy only; group 2 (n=6) I/R group; group 3 (n=6) I/R+ octreotide group. I/R was established in groups 2 and 3. All rabbits were followed up neurologically for 24 hours. After 24 hours, the rabbits were killed and spinal cord tissue samples examined. Neurological examinations score, tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), xanthine oxidase (XO), tissue nitrite and nitrate levels and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels, neuronal and glial degeneration, and apoptosis. Neurological examinations scores were significantly better in the treatment group than I/R group (P<0.05). Biochemically, XO and MPO enzyme activities were significantly decresed in the treatment group than the I/R group (P<0.05). Immunohistopathologically, apoptotic cell count in white matter were statistically reduced in the treatment group than I/R group (P<0.05). This experimental study shows the benefical effects of octreotide acetate on spinal cord I/R injury. Octreotide acetate have neuroprotective effects by inhibiting XO and MPO enzyme activity and reducing white matter apopitotic cell count. Neurological examination scores were also better in the treatment group than I/R only group.