Enhanced neural recovery and reduction of secondary damage in spinal cord injury through modulation of oxidative stress and neural response

This study explores the use of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) to treat spinal cord injuries (SCI). CAP is a type of plasma that doesn't cause thermal damage to tissues and has no toxic side effects, making it potentially useful for treating neurological diseases. The researchers used a device called a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) to apply CAP to the injured spinal cords of mice. They found that CAP treatment improved functional recovery after SCI, reduced neuronal apoptosis, lowered inflammation, and increased axonal regeneration. The study also found that CAP treatment can reduce oxidative stress and trigger the self-antioxidant capability of tissues. This suggests that CAP could help protect nerve cells from damage and promote their regeneration after a spinal cord injury.

• 1
  CAP treatment significantly improves functional recovery after SCI in mice, as measured by the Basso mouse scale (BMS).
• 2
  CAP treatment reduces neuronal apoptosis and inflammation response after SCI, evidenced by TUNEL and Nissl staining, and ELISA measurements of TNF-α and IL-1β.
• 3
  CAP treatment enhances axonal regeneration and reduces glial scar formation, shown by immunofluorescent staining of NF200, GFAP, and GAP43.