Review
Spinal Cord (2008) 46, 176–180; doi:10.1038/sj.sc.3102119; published online 18 September 2007
Early adaptive changes in chronic paraplegic mice: a model to study rapid health degradation after spinal cord injury
R-V Ung1, N P Lapointe1 and P A Guertin1,2
- 1Neuroscience Unit, CHUL Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- 2Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Correspondence: Professor PA Guertin, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval (CHUL), Neuroscience, RC-9800, 2705 Laurier boulevard, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada G1V 4G2. E-mail: pierre.guertin@crchul.ulaval.ca
Received 5 April 2007; Revised 24 July 2007; Accepted 25 July 2007; Published online 18 September 2007.
Abstract
Study design:
Literature review.
Objective:
To describe quantitatively some of most important anatomic, systemic, and metabolic changes occurring soon (one month) after spinal cord trauma in mice.
Setting:
University Laval Medical Center.
Results:
Significant changes in weight, mechanical and contractile muscle properties, bone histomorphometry and biomechanics, deep-vein morphology, complete blood count, immune cell count, lipid metabolism and anabolic hormone levels were found occurring within 1 month in completely spinal cord transected (Th9/10) mice.
Conclusion:
These data reveal that many changes in mice and humans are comparable suggesting, in turn, that this model may be a valuable tool for neuroscientists to investigate the specific mechanisms associated with rapid health degradation post-SCI.
Keywords:
health degradation, secondary consequences, paraplegic mouse, SCI, bone, muscle
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