Potentializing the Effects of GM1 by Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Acute Experimental Spinal Cord Lesion in Rats

Study Design: Experimental, controlled, animal study.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of GM1 ganglioside, hyperbaric oxygen and both in combination, in the treatment of experimental spinal cord lesions in rats.

Setting: Brazil.

Methods: Thirty-two Wistar rats with spinal cord lesions were divided into four groups: one group received GM1 ganglioside, one was submitted to hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), the third received both treatments and the fourth received no treatment (control).

Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in the histological analysis, for any of the variables (necrosis, hemorrhage, hyperemia, cystic degeneration, P>0.06). Neither were there any significant differences in the comparison of left and right sides in the functional tests (P>0.06 for all). No significant differences were found in the locomotor ratings, in the comparison of groups at 2, 7, 21 and 28 days after the surgical procedure. However, in the evaluation on day 14, group 3, which received the combined therapy, showed a significantly higher Basso Beattie and Bresnahan score than the other groups (P=0.015).

Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of GM1 in locomotor evaluation of rats submitted to spinal cord lesion is anticipated by HBOT.