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).