3 RESULTS
First we examined whether the right-side CCI induces formation of HL-PA;
whether ipsi- or contralesional hindlimb is flexed in the CCI rats, and
whether HL-PA retains after complete spinal cord transection. Second we
analyzed whether the CCI-induced HL-PA and its maintenance after spinal
transection is mediated through the opioid receptors. For this purpose,
effects of the general opioid antagonist naloxone and selective
antagonists of µ-, δ- and κ-opioid receptors on the formation and
fixation of HL-PA and the side of the flexed limb were analyzed.
Significance of differences between animal groups was examined for i)
the MPA using ANOVAs; and for the odds to develop ii) HL-PA and iii)
contralesional (left) flexion using Fisher’s exact test with Bonferroni
corrections.