Research Information System
Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Background and Aims: Potential ameliorative effects of melatonin and dexpanthenol alone or in combination were investigated by neurological, histopathological, biochemical, and molecular means in an experimental spinal cord injury model in rats. Methods and Results: Forty-two Sprague Dawley female rats were equally divided into six groups as control (C), sham (S), spinal cord injury (SCI), spinal cord injury with dexpanthenol application (SCI+Dex), spinal cord injury with melatonin application (SCI+Mel), and spinal cord injury with dexpanthenol and melatonin application (SCI+Dex+Mel). In neurochemical analysis, mean Modified Tarlov Scale measurement was significantly better in the SCI+Dex and SCI+Dex+Mel groups as compared to the SCI group at the last measurement point. In biochemical analysis, tissue levels of GSH, SOD, MDA, and XO increased significantly in the SCI group compared to the control. However, no changes were detected among the groups in gene expression levels of XO, SOD, NF-κB, and CASP3. Histopathological examination revealed severe neuronal degeneration in the SCI group, while the severity of the lesions decreased in the Mel and/or Dex given groups. Conclusion: Overall, the results indicated that Dex+Mel application may have an ameliorative effect on neuroprotection especially at the later stages of spinal cord injury.