Investigation of the dose-dependent neuroprotective effects of agmatine in experimental spinal cord injury: a prospective randomized and placebo-control trial

Kotil K., Kuscuoglu U., Kirali M., Uzun H., Akcetin M., Bilge T.

JOURNAL OF NEUROSURGERY-SPINE, vol.4, no.5, pp.392-399, 2006 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 4 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2006
  • Doi Number: 10.3171/spi.2006.4.5.392
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF NEUROSURGERY-SPINE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.392-399
  • Istanbul University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Object. No definitive treatment for spinal cord injuries (SCIs) exists, and more research is required. The use of agmatine [4-(aminobutyl)-guanidine-NH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-NH-C(-NH2)(=NH)], a guanidinium Compound formed by decarboxylation Of L-arginine by arginine decarboxylase, is a neurotransmitter-neuromodulator with both N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-antagonizing and nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-inhibiting activities. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the dose-dependent activity of agmatine, an inducible NOS (iNOS) inhibitor and selective NMDAR antagonist, on biochemical and functional recovery in an experimental rat SCI model.