Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  2002 Apr;35(4):255-260.

Protective Effects of Trimetazidine in a Rabbit Model of Transient Spinal Cord Ischemia

• Choe JW
• Kim MH
• Oh TY
• Han JS
• Kim JS
• Lee SY
• Chang WH

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Paraplegia remains unresolved as the most dreaded operative complication with surgical treatment of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic diseases. In this study, the neuroprotective effect of trimetazidine that has been used clinically for ischemic heart disease was investigated in a rabbit spinal cord ischemia model. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty-three New Zealand white rabbits were randomized as follows: control group undergoing abdominal aortic occlusion but receiving no pharmacologic intervention(Group 1, n=17); TMZ group(Group 2, n=16) receiving 3 mg/kg trimetazidine intravenously before the occlusion of the aorta. Ischemia was induced by clamping the abdominal aorta just distal to the left renal artery for 30 minutes. Neurologic status was assessed at 2, 24, and 48 hours after the operation according to the modified Tarlov scale, then the lumbosacral spinal cord was processed for histopathologic examinations 48 hours after the final assessment. RESULT: The average motor function score was significantly higher in the TMZ group(3.20 +/- 0.77 vs 1.13 +/- 1.25 at 2 hours, 3.50 +/- 0.76 vs 1.45 +/- 1.57 at 24 hours, and 3.91 +/- 0.30 vs 1.86 +/- 1.86 at 48 hours after operation; p value CONCLUSION
The results suggested that trimetazidine reduced spinal cord injury during aortic clamping and that it may have clinical utility for the thoracoabdominal aortic surgery.

Keyword

Trimetazidine; Spinal cord ischemia; Aorta, Thoracoabdominal

MeSH Terms

Aorta
Aorta, Abdominal
Aortic Diseases
Constriction
Ischemia
Myocardial Ischemia
Neuroprotective Agents
Paraplegia
Rabbits
Renal Artery
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal Cord Ischemia*
Spinal Cord*
Trimetazidine*
Neuroprotective Agents
Trimetazidine