GA improves functional recovery after SCI
To determine the effect of GA on functional recovery, GA (50
mg∙kg-1, i.p) was treated immediately, 2 h, and 8 h
after injury and then further treated once a day for 7 d. Functional
recovery was evaluated for 28 d after injury using the BBB rating scale,
inclined plane test, grid walk test, and footprint analysis. As shown in
Fig. 8A, GA significantly increased hindlimb locomotor function from 14
d to 28 d after injury compared with that of the vehicle-treated group.
In addition, the ability to control and place the hindlimbs precisely
was examined on a horizontal grid at 28 d after injury. As shown in Fig.
8B, the number of mistakes (footfalls on the grid walk) was
significantly lower in the GA-treated group than that observed in the
vehicle group. The angle of incline determined at 28 d after injury was
also significantly higher in GA-treated rats from 14 d to 28 d compared
to that in the vehicle group (Fig. 8C). Finally, footprint analysis
showed that fairly consistent forelimb-hindlimb coordination was
observed in both vehicle- and GA-treated rats at 35 d after SCI.
However, very little toe dragging was shown in GA-treated group, whereas
inconsistent dorsal stepping and extensive drags was observed in
vehicle-treated rats, as revealed by ink streaks extending from both
hindlimbs (Fig. 8D).