The Difference in motor improvements related to combination of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and alpha-tocopherolsupplementationdiet of weight-dropped induced spinal cord injury in rats

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is the cause of severe neurological disability, and no satisfactory treatment is currently available. Evidence suggests that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) could target some of the pathological mechanisms that underlie damage after SCI. In parallel, promising e ect of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) also shown as a potent antioxidant to prevent lipid peroxidation on SCI. Therefore, we aim to investigate the combined e ect of omega-3 PUFA and vitamin E supplementation in improving motor function of weight dropped induced SCI in rats. Methods: Twenty- ve rats randomly divided into the ve groups. SCI was induced in the rats by using a weight dropped model around T9-T11 vertebra level. Omega-3 PUFA and vitamin E was administered orally on each day for two weeks of treatment. The sham group underwent laminectomy without spinal cord compression and treatment. Motor function was measured at the 1st, 7th and 14th day. Results: We found the signi cant di erence of motoric function between omega-3 PUFA group and combination treatment group compared to the control (p<0,05). The highest BBB score on the rst week was found in combination treatment group (mean 16±2.3), but no signi cant di erence was found compared to the omega-3 PUFA group. On the subsequent week, combination treatment was showing marked improvement compared to the omega-3 PUFA group (p<0,05). Conclusion: These nding had demonstrated the e ect of Omega-3 PUFA as a neuroprotective agent to prevent the secondary injury in SCI-induced rats. The combination of omega-3 PUFA with vitamin E improves its e cacy to become a promising novel therapy for SCI.