Abstract: Objective To observe the influence of anti-oxidative stress effect of lycopene (LP) on motor function after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Methods 36 healthy adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into Groups A, B and C with 12 rats in each group.SCI model was made by Allen's mode (10 g×25 mm) on T9. Group A received no treatment, 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone sodium succinate was injected for Group B in peritoneal cavity 30 min after SCI, 20 mg/kg LP was given orally for Group C. On the 1st d, 3rd d and 7th d after operation, the motor function was assessed by slanting board test and Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scale (BBB); superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined in serum. Results Compared with Group A, the scores of the slanting board test significantly increased in Group C 1 d, 3 d, and in Group B 1 d, 3 d and 7 d after operation (P<0.05); the BBB scores significantly increased in Group C 1 d, 3 d and 7 d, and in Group B 1 d, 7 d after operation (P<0.05); the activity of SOD significantly increased in Group C 1 d, 3 d and 7 d, and in Group B 3 d, 7 d after operation (P<0.05); the content of MDA significantly decreased in Group C 3 d, 7 d, and in Group B 1 d, 7 d after operation (P<0.05). Conclusion Lycopene can reduce the level of oxidative stress and promote the motor function in rats after acute SCI.

Key words: lycopene, spinal cord injury, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, motor function