LIPID-PEROXIDATION IN EXPERIMENTAL SPINAL-CORD INJURY - COMPARISON OF TREATMENT WITH GINKGO-BILOBA, TRH AND METHYLPREDNISOLONE

Ischaemia-induced lipid peroxidation is one of the most important factors producing tissue damage in spinal cord injury. In our study, the protective effects of Ginkgo biloba, thyroid releasing hormone (TRH) and methylprednisolone (MP) on compression injury of the rat spinal cord were investigated. For this study 45 rats in four groups, including control, MP, TRH and Gingko biloba, were used to determine the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA). All the animals were made paraplegic by the application clip method of Rivlin and Tator. Rats were divided randomly and blindly to one of four treatment groups (ten animals in each). MP and Ginkgo biloba treatments significantly decreased MDA levels (F=54.138, P<0.01). These results suggest that MP and Ginkgo biloba may have a protective effect against ischaemic spinal cord injury by the antioxidant effect.