Changes in phospholipids and acetylcholinesterase during early phase of injury to spinal cord--an experimental study in rats.

Injury to spinal cord was produced in rats by the clip compression technique by placing the aneurysm clip extradurally for 30 seconds. The traumatised spinal segment and the adjoining upper segment were used for biochemical estimations. Motor function of the injured rats was evaluated using the inclined plane. Phospholipid phosphorus values were significantly decreased in the injured spinal segment at 24 hrs. AchE activity was also decreased in the traumatised segment one week after injury. Dexamethasone and verapamil reversed the changes in AchE activity at the end of one week. At the one week assessment period, aneurysm clipped rats showed a decrease in the maximum angle in the inclined plane. Dexamethasone and verapamil treated rats showed improvement in the neurologic function, neurologic recovery was better in the dexamethasone treated group.