Pirfenidone's Potential for Motor Recovery following Spinal Cord Compression Injury

Pirfenidone's Potential for Motor Recovery following Spinal Cord Compression Injury

  • Noman Ullah Wazir Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Peshawar Medical College, Peshawar Pakistan http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1862-7464
  • Nighat Ara Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Nowshera Medical College, Nowshera Pakistan
  • Saima Mumtaz Khattak Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Federal Medical College, Islamabad Pakistan
  • Nazish Waheed Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Jinnah Medical College, Peshawar Pakistan
  • Usman Ghani Trainee Medical Officer, Department of Internal Medicine, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Peshawar Pakistan
  • Maria Azam Khattak Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Peshawar Medical College, Peshawar Pakistan
Keywords: Pirfenidone, Aneurysm clip model, Spinal cord compression injury, BBB score

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this research was to access the ability of pirfenidone in improving motor activity of hindlimbs in rats following compression injury to spinal cord. Study Design: Experimental lab-based study. Settings: Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University Peshawar, Pakistan. Duration: From March 2020 to April 2023. Methods: Injury induction at the T7 spinal cord level was carried out using a 70gm force aneurysm clip in rats. The rats were divided into three groups: Group A received a daily placebo, Group B received a daily dose of pirfenidone at 200 mg/kg/day, and Group C received a daily dose of pirfenidone at 500 mg/kg/day. Each group was further subdivided into two sub-groups, labeled as Groups 1 and 2, each consisting of 5 rats. The experiment lasted for 14 and 28 days. On the final day, all rats underwent BBB scoring to evaluate the motor activity in their hind limbs. Results: BBB scores showed statistically significant differences both between and within groups. Among the SCI groups, those treated with pirfenidone displayed higher BBB scores compared to those without pirfenidone treatment. Conclusion: Pirfenidone may improve motor function post-spinal cord injury by reducing fibrosis, preventing collagen buildup in the core of glial scars, and reducing reactive astrocytosis in the scar's outer region. This dual action could promote axonal regeneration and enhance synaptic connections, aiding in neurological recovery.

Published
2024-03-31
How to Cite
Wazir, N. U., Ara, N., Khattak, S. M., Waheed, N., Ghani, U., & Khattak, M. A. (2024). Pirfenidone’s Potential for Motor Recovery following Spinal Cord Compression Injury: Pirfenidone’s Potential for Motor Recovery following Spinal Cord Compression Injury. Annals of Punjab Medical College, 18(1), 50-53. https://doi.org/10.29054/apmc/2024.1517

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