The aim of this experimental study was to investigate whether
dimethylsulfoxide (
DMSO) has protective effects on
spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. New Zealand rabbits were enrolled in the study. In addition to the control group, the study group received 0.1 mL/kg
DMSO prior to
ischemia. Blood samples were taken to obtain
nitrite-
nitrate levels during the
surgical procedure. After neurological evaluation at 24 hr of reperfusion, lumbar spinal cords were removed for electron microscopic evaluation and
malondialdehyde and
myeloperoxidase measurements. The mean Tarlov score of the
DMSO group was higher than that of the control group. Electron microscopic examination was carried out with tissue samples at 24 hr of reperfusion. The
DMSO group had better preservation with the electron microscopic scoring compared to the control group.
Malondialdehyde and
myeloperoxidase levels were decreased in the
DMSO group compared to the control group.
Nitrite-
nitrate levels were also lower in the
DMSO group compared to control at 5 and 30 min of reperfusion. This study demonstrates a considerable
neuroprotective effect of
DMSO on neurological, biochemical, and histopathological analyses during periods of spinal cord I/R injury in rabbits. Although there was a difference between the
DMSO and control groups in all measured parameters in our study, this was not statistically significant.
DMSO deserves further investigation related with
spinal cord ischemia and reperfusion. We should also consider the effect of
DMSO when we use it as a
solvent or vehicle during experimental I/R models.