Adenosine A2A analogue improves neurologic outcome after spinal cord trauma in the rabbit.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

ATL-146e, an adenosine A2A agonist, reduces paralysis after spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion. We hypothesized that systemic ATL-146e could improve neurologic outcome after blunt spinal cord trauma.

METHODS:

Twenty rabbits survived a thoracic spinal cord impact of 30 g-cm. One group received 0.06 microg/kg/min ATL-146e for the first 3 hours after impact (A2A group), whereas a second group received saline carrier (T/C group). Neurologic outcome was measured using the Tarlov scale (0-5). Histologic sections from the A2A and T/C groups were compared for neuronal viability.

RESULTS:

There was significant improvement in Tarlov scores of A2A animals compared with T/C animals at 12 hours (p = 0.007), with a trend toward improvement at 36 (p = 0.08) and 48 (p = 0.09) hours after injury. There was decreased neuronal attrition in A2A animals (p = 0.06).

CONCLUSION:

Systemic ATL-146e given after spinal cord trauma results in improved neurologic outcome. Adenosine A2A agonists may hold promise as a rapidly acting alternative to steroids in the early treatment of the spinal cord injured patient.

• Authors: David C Cassada, Curtis G Tribble, Jeffrey S Young, James J Gangemi, A Reza Gohari, Paris D Butler, Jayson M Rieger, Irving L Kron, Joel Linden, John A Kern
• Journal: The Journal of trauma (J Trauma) Vol. 53 Issue 2 Pg. 225-9; discussion 229-31 (Aug 2002) ISSN: 0022-5282 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12169926 (Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• ATL 146e
• Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
• Neuroprotective Agents
• Purinergic P1 Receptor Agonists
• Purines
• Receptor, Adenosine A2A

Topics

• Animals
• Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids (therapeutic use)
• Hemodynamics (drug effects)
• Neuroprotective Agents (therapeutic use)
• Paralysis (prevention & control)
• Purinergic P1 Receptor Agonists
• Purines (therapeutic use)
• Rabbits
• Receptor, Adenosine A2A
• Spinal Cord Injuries (drug therapy, pathology, surgery)
• Statistics, Nonparametric
• Wounds, Nonpenetrating (drug therapy)