Dural Functions of Brain-Derived Neurotrofic Factor (BDNF) in Compression-Induced Spinal Cord Injury

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Neurotrophins enhance the survival of cells in the nervous system under both physiological and pathological conditions, such as those caused by diseases or trauma. We demonstrated two distinct functions of BDNF using rats that had received compression-induced spinal cord injury. Its function in protecting neurons and glia was evaluated by its effects on Cu Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) expression, and its function in promoting axonal regeneration was assessed by its effects on myelin basic protein (MBP) expression. SOD expression in the spinal cord was down-regulated within 24 h of compression-induced injury and then recovered. BDNF inhibited the down-regulation of SOD expression and accelerated its recovery. MBP expression was immediately and greatly reduced after injury. BDNF administration relieved its acute decrease and promoted its gradual increase after 2 weeks. It is notable that the facilitating effect of BDNF on the axonal regeneration was maintained after cessation of BDNF administration. This animal study provides data supporting the potential clinical application of BDNF in human spinal cord injury.