The effect of spinal cord injury on the expression of TGF-β and TNF-α in rat articular cartilage

摘要

Objective: To observe the expression of TGF-β and TNF-α in the spinal cord injured rat model and discuss the significance of the articular cartilage metabolism. Methods: 36 SD female rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: Rats models of spinal cord injury were implemented by Allen method. T_(10) laminectomy was performed in the control group. Both groups of rats were killed re-spectively in 1w, 3w and 6w. Hematoxylin-eosin stain was given to each slice in the model group and control group. Immunohisto-chemical stain was applied by using ABC method in the expression of TGF-β and TNF-α. Those expressed level were performed in image analysis and statistics process. Results: TGF-β and TNF-α were mainly distributed on the surface layer of the articular cartilage, with a weak expression in control group. The expression of TNF-α in the model group was more significant than that in the control group in the 1w, and still remained an evident difference with that in control group until the 6w(P < 0.05). TGF-β expression of the model group had no remarkable difference with the control group in the 1w (P > 0.05) and prominently became stronger at 6w(P < 0.05). Conclusion: The expression of TNF-α occurred early in the development of spinal cord injury, and the expression of TGF-β became stronger with the revival of spinal neural function. Both expressions were strengthened in articular cartilage in the 3rd week.