Modulation of inflammatory factors predicts the outcome following spinal cord injury

Abstract

BACKGROUND : The correlation between inflammatory responses caused by spinal cord injury (SCI) and the prognosis of patients with SCI still remains controversial. METHODS : In the present study, we preliminary investigated the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-I and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and compared the serum IL-4 and IL-10 expression in rats of high BBB scores with these of low Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan(BBB) scores. Besides, the infiltration of macrophage and the axonal regeneration of the injuried spinal cord were observed from day10 to day30. RESULTS : We found that higher serum levels of IL-4 and IL-10 can reflect the restorability degree of SCI and could be potential biomarkers for the prognosis of SCI. The infiltration of M2 subtype of macrophage and the axons regrowth might contribute to better prognosis. CONCLUSIONS ： Collectively, the current study demonstrates that the serum levels of IL-4 and IL-10 are preliminary adopted as serologic markers to forecast SCI, and high serum levels of IL-4 and IL-10 may indicate a better prognosis. Moreover, the way to promote macrophage polarization from M1 to M2 may contribute to better axonal regeneration.