Impacto do tratamento com pregabalina sobre a plasticidade sináptica e reatividade glial durante o curso da encefalomielite autoimune experimental (EAE)

Abstract

The multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease and neurodegenerative that affects young adults. It is characterized by generating a chronic demyelinating autoimmune inflammation in the central nervous system. An experimental model for the study of multiple sclerosis is the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), induced by immunization with antigenic proteins of myelin of the central nervous system, dissolved in adjuvants. The present study investigated the evolution of the disease in pregabalin treated animals up to the remission phase. The results demonstrated a delay on the onset of the disease with statistical differences at the 10th and the 16th day after immunization For the gait evaluation, the walking track test (CatWalk) was used to evaluate different parameters related to motor function. Although no difference between groups was obtained for the foot print pressure, the regularity index was improved post treatment, indicating a better motor coordination. The immunohistochemical analysis of synapse preservation and glial reactivity revealed that pregabalin treatment improved the overall morphology of the spinal cord. A preservation of circuits was depicted and astroglial reaction was downregulated during the course of the disease. RT-PCR data were in line with the immunolabeling observations and indicated a shift of the immune response towards an anti-inflammatory response. Overall, the present data indicate that pregabalin is efficient for reducing the seriousness of EAE, delaying its course as well as reducing synaptic loss and astroglial reaction.