Sex hormone supplementation improves breathing and restores respiratory neuroplasticity following C2 hemisection in rats

Frontiers in Physiology, 2024 · DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1390777 · Published: May 13, 2024

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries can lead to reduced levels of sex hormones, which are important for various bodily functions. This study investigates whether supplementing these hormones can improve breathing and restore respiratory neuroplasticity after a spinal cord injury in rats. The researchers supplemented rats with either estrogen (E2) or dihydrotestosterone (DHT) after a C2 hemisection, a type of spinal cord injury. They then measured the rats' breathing function and their ability to express phrenic long-term facilitation (pLTF), a form of respiratory neuroplasticity. The study found that both E2 and DHT supplementation improved breathing and restored pLTF. This suggests that hormone supplementation could be a potential therapeutic intervention to maximize respiratory motor recovery after spinal cord injury.

Study Duration

2 weeks post-SCI

Participants

28 Male Sprague Dawley rats (3–4 mos)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
C2 hemisection significantly reduced serum testosterone levels for at least 2 weeks post-injury.
2
E2 supplementation resulted in reduced respiratory frequency and increased VT generation during respiratory challenge when compared with rats receiving no hormonal treatments.
3
Supplementation with either E2 or DHT was sufficient to restore the expression of AIH-induced pLTF, a well characterized form of respiratory neuroplasticity, 2 weeks post-SCI.

Research Summary

The study investigated the impact of sex hormone supplementation on respiratory function and neuroplasticity following cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. The primary findings indicate that C2 hemisection reduces testosterone levels, E2 supplementation improves respiratory patterns, and both E2 and DHT can restore AIH-induced pLTF after SCI. These results suggest that hormone supplementation, particularly with E2 and DHT, could be a promising therapeutic approach for enhancing respiratory motor recovery following SCI.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

Hormone-based interventions may strengthen respiratory function in cervical SCI models, potentially translating to clinical applications.

Neuroplasticity Enhancement

E2 and DHT supplementation can restore respiratory neural plasticity, offering avenues to maximize respiratory motor recovery.

Metabolic Regulation

E2 supplementation can regulate baseline metabolism in sub-acute cervical SCI, contributing to improved respiratory function.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on rats, and results may not directly translate to humans.
2
The exact mechanisms by which E2 and DHT restore pLTF require further investigation.
3
The study did not localize the effects of E2 and DHT, making it difficult to determine specific sites of action.

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