Abstract

This work investigated the effect of tongdujianbu particle (TP) on the expression patterns ofmatrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and transformation growth factor (TGF)-β1 and the behavioural changes in a rat model of spinal cord injured (SCI). A total of 105 adult Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the spinal cord injury as well as different groups of TP treatments. The expression level of MMP-9, TIMP-1, TGF-β1 and Nissl bodies’ distribution in the injured spinal cord were examined. Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) behavioural score was used to evaluate the recovery of the motor ability. The results suggested that the TP improved the recovery of the behavioural functionality post-SCI. The TP treatment could inhibit the expression of MMP-9 and enhance the expression of TIMP-1, and alter the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio whilst maintaining the MMP-9 and TIMP-1 equilibrium. The TP treatment could enhance the expression of TIMP-1 by stimulation of TGF-β1 expression. We concluded that the TP treatment provides a potential approach in integrative medicine for improved SCI recovery.

Key words: Tongdujianbu particle, spinal cord injury, matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, transformation growth factor (TGF)-β1 , blood spine barrier, BBB behavioural function score, immunohistology.