Changes Of Tumor Necrosis Factor-αafter Spinal Cord Injury Induced By Persistent Stretch In Cerebrospinal Fluid Of Rabbits

Objective:To establish animal models of tractive spinal cord injury in rabbits and to investigate the changes of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in cerebrospinal fluid and its significance.Methods:Totally24healthy rabbits were randomly divided into4groups:Group A was the control group;Group B was the sham-operated group only install internal fixation;Group C was stretched25%of transverse diameter of L1/2articular surface and fixed by internal fixation;Group D was stretched25%of transverse diameter of L1/2articular surface and fixed by intemal fixation.All the groups were housed at the same conditions.The level of TNF-αwas detected before surgery and post-operation at time point of10min,2h,24h,7d,respectively;The hindlimb motor function in all groups were evaluated by using the Tarlov scores respectively before surgery and post-operation at time point of8h,1d,3d,7d.Results:The level of TNF-αin group C and group D were existed statistical difference by stretch distance of spinal cord increasing in early postoperative; The descent of motor function of hindlimb correlates with stretch distance of spnial cord. Conclusions:The chang of the level of TNF-ain cerebrospinal fluid of rabbits could be used a marker to evaluate the degree of spinal cord injury and the effect of motor function of hindlimb in early spinal cord injury.