The effects of medroxy progesterone acetate on the pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in the early phase of the spinal cord injury

Abstract

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Objectives: Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) have high morbidity and mortality rates and currently the definitive treatment of complete SCIs are still not possible. We investigated the effects of the medroxy progesterone acetate on the pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in the early phase of the SCI.

Methods: Forty-eight Wistar albino male rats were divided equally into four groups each consisting of 12 rats. All animals underwent T10-T12 laminectomy. We administered placebo, and 8 mg/kg medroxy progesterone acetate (MPA) intra-peritoneally into control and progesterone group at 30 minutes after the clip-compression trauma in spinal cord. We performed only T10-T12 laminectomy and clip-compression trauma in laminectomy and trauma group, respectively. Half of the rats from each group were killed at 1 hour and the other half were killed at 6 hours after the trauma. Spinal cord segments were then removed and stored at −80°C in phosphate buffer. TNF-alpha and IL-1beta levels were determined using ELISA kit.

Results: We have found that there was an increase only in the TNF-alpha level at 6 hours after the trauma comparing to control group. MPA appeared to lower the TNF-alpha level significantly in the trauma group.

Discussion: This experimentally proven anti-inflammatory effect of MPA via acting upon TNF-alpha may offer new therapeutic options in human subjects with SCIs.

Keywords:

• Medroxy progesterone acetate
• TNF-alpha
• IL-1beta
• Spinal cord injury