Abstract: Objective To explore the expression of aquaporin (AQP)-4 in white matter of spinal cord after spinal cord contusion (SCC). Methods 88 adult Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned randomly to sham operation group and SCC group. The model was established by Allen's method. BBB sore was used to assess the motor function of rats. The relative expression of AQP-4 mRNA was determined by Q-PCR technique. The localization of AQP-4 was observed by immunohistochemistry. Results BBB score showed motor dysfunction in SCC group, and it increased 7 and 14 days after SCC (t>5.061, P<0.001). The level of AQP-4 mRNA decreased on the 1st and 3rd days (t>50.44, P< 0.001), and increased on the 5th day (t=-3.968, P=0.001), and lasted until the 28th day (t=-4.227, P=0.001) compared with that on the 3rd day. The immunohistochemistry showed AQP-4 was located on the process of glial cell and vascular endothelial cells in white matter of spinal cord. Conclusion AQP-4 may play various roles at different stages in SCC.

Key words: spinal cord contusion, edema, aquaporin-4, rats