Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of proanthocyanidin on the expression of brain- derived neurotrophic factor (GFAP) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods 48 healthy adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into proanthocyanidin treatment group (group A, n=24) and control group (group B, n=24). Allen's method was used to establish the model of acute spinal cord injury in T9. 1, 3 and 7 days after operation, 8 rats in each subgroup were assessed with Basso-Beattie- Bresnahan (BBB) scale and Slanting Board Test, the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected, and the expression of GFAP and BDNF of the spinal cord were detected with immunohistochemistry. Results The results of BBB scale and Slanting Board Test were better in group A than in group B 3 and 7 days after SCI (P<0.05). The levels of SOD and MDA were better in group A than in group B 1, 3 and 7 days after SCI (P<0.05). The expression of GFAP was lower, and the expression of BDNF was higher in group A than in group B all the time points after SCI (P<0.01). Conclusion Proanthocyanidin can inhibit the lipid peroxidation and the expression of GFAP in spinal cord after SCI, stimulate the synthesis of endogenous BDNF, and improve the motor function in rats after SCI.

Key words: spinal cord injury, proanthocyanidin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, nerve growth factor, rats