Article

The health benefits associated with physical activity-based
rehabilitation in patients with no lower-extremity motor function after a spinal
cord injury (SCI) is uncertain. METHODS: The authors assessed signs of efficacy,
safety, and utility associated with a novel pharmacological combination therapy
to activate central pattern generator (CPG) activity and corresponding locomotor
activity in complete thoracic Th9/10-transected mice. RESULTS: Subcutaneous
administration 4 times per week for 1 month of 1.5 mg/kg buspirone, 1.5 mg/kg
apomorphine, 12.5 mg/kg benserazide, and 50 mg/kg L-DOPA induced episodes of
weight-bearing stepping on a treadmill in nonassisted paraplegic mice for
45-minute sessions. Hindlimb muscle cross-sectional area and fiber area values as
well as several blood cell constituent levels assessed at 30 days postinjury were
positively affected by the combination therapy, as compared with controls.
Episodes of locomotion remained effective on each treatment. Femoral bone mineral
density loss was not prevented by triple therapy. CONCLUSION: Although
translation of these findings needs further experimentation, similar
pharmacological activation of the CPG offers a novel therapeutic target to
provide some health benefits in motor-complete SCI patients.

Langue : ANGLAIS