Effects of carvacrol administration on motor function following spinal ischemia and reperfusion

Authors: AYHAN ÇETİNKAYA, ÇAĞRI ÇAMSARI

Abstract: The sensitivity of the medulla spinalis to ischemia and reperfusion has been shown in previous in vitro and in vivo studies. However, less is known about the effects of carvacrol administration following ischemia and reperfusion. It was hypothesized that carvacrol might have protective effects on motor neuron functionunder ischemia- and reperfusion-induced oxidative stress. A total of 24 adult Wistar rats were divided into three groups: group I (control group; n = 8), group II (spinal ischemia and reperfusion group; n = 8), and group III (spinal ischemia and reperfusion + carvacrol group; n = 8). Ischemia and reperfusion were performed by clamping the abdominal aorta for 45 min. Clamps were then removed and 100 mg/kg of carvacrol was administered to group III. In the control groups a vehicle solution was administered. Animals were then observed for motor deficit index 48 h following the ischemia. Prior to the termination of the experiment, blood serum was obtained through intracardiac puncture for analyses of total antioxidant status and total oxidative stress levels. The results did not show effects on total antioxidant status or total oxidative stress levels. However, the motor deficit index was significantly different between the carvacrol and spinal ischemia groups and between the control and spinal ischemia groups. Our study demonstrated improved motor function in spinal ischemia models following carvacrol administration. However, future studies are required to determine the mechanism which improves motor function under carvacrol administration.

Keywords: Spinal ischemia, carvacrol, ratoxidative stress, motor deficit index

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