Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of proanthocyanidin on the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-кB) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods 36 healthy adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into proanthocyanidin treatment group (group A, n=12), methylprednisolone (MP) treatment group (group B, n=12) and model control group (group C, n=12). Allen's method was used to establish the model of acute spinal cord injury in T9. On the 1st, 3rd and 7th days after operation, 4 rats in each group were assessed with Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scale and Slanting Board Test (SBT), and the expression of NF-кB and IL-6 of the spinal cord were detected with immunohistochemistry. Results The scores of BBB and SBT were better in groups A and B than in the group C 3 and 7 days after SCI (P<0.05). Compared with group C, the expression of NF-кB in group A decreased all the time after SCI (P<0.01), and 3 and 7 days after SCI in group B (P<0.01); while the expression of IL-6 decreased all the time after SCI in groups A and B (P<0.05). Conclusion Proanthocyanidin may inhibit the expression of NF-кB and IL-6 in spinal cord after SCI in order to reduce inflammation and improve the hindlimb motor function in rats after SCI.

Key words: spinal cord injury, proanthocyanidin, motor function, nuclear factor kappa B, interleukin-6, rats