Effects of Vigabatrin in spinal ischemia reperfusion injury

Background and Purpose: Spinal cord ischemia is a serious and catastrophic clinicopathological condition. Despite the studies that have been made over the last 20 years, alternative and efficient treatment options are still unclear. In this study we aimed to examine the neuroprotective effects of vigabatrine on spinal ischemia-reperfusion model.Methods: 24 New Zealand rabbits are divided into 4 groups as control, ischemia reperfusion, low dose vigabatrine and high dose vigabatrine. Although the control group experienced with only abdominal surgery, we perform abdominal aortic cross-clamp model of spinal ischemia to the other groups. 30 minutes later we remove the clips and give 50 mg/kg vigabatrine to the low dose group, 150 mg/kg vigabatrine to the high dose group intraperitoneally. Neurologic examination was done for 48 hr., and rabbits were sacrificed at the end of 48 th hr. after tissue and blood sample had obtained. Biochemical examination of malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), nitric oxide (NO), glutathione (GSH), and super oxide dismutase (SOD) levels in plasma and tissue sample, and histopathological examination of spinal cord were evaluated and compared between the groups after statistical results had been obtained.Results: Statistical analysis revealed that low dose of vigabatrine has significant effects of neuroprotection on the spinal ischemia. Although high dose of vigabatrin has similar effects, it is not statistically significant for all the parameters of the biochemical analysis. Additionally histopathological examination showed some toxic effects of the high dose vigabatrine.Conclusion: In addition to antiepileptic effects, neuroprotective effects of vigabatrine is revealed. For clinical use, further studies are needed.