GSK-3 Inhibitor Promotes Neuronal Cell Regeneration and Functional Recovery in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury

Biomed Res Int. 2019 Aug 4:2019:9628065. doi: 10.1155/2019/9628065. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

The reparative process following spinal cord injury (SCI) is extremely complicated. Cells in the microenvironment express multiple inhibitory factors that affect axonal regeneration over a prolonged period of time. The axon growth inhibitory factor glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is an important factor during these processes. TDZD-8 (4-benzyl-2-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazolidine-3,5-dione) is the most effective and specific non-ATP-competitive inhibitor of GSK-3. Here, we show that administering TDZD-8 after SCI was associated with significantly inhibited neuronal apoptosis, upregulated GAP-43 expression, increased density of cortical spinal tract fibers around areas of injury, and increased Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scores in the lower limbs. These findings support the notion that GSK-3 inhibitors promote neuronal cell regeneration and lower limb functional recovery.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Axons / drug effects
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • GAP-43 Protein / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / genetics
  • Humans
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Nerve Regeneration / drug effects*
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Recovery of Function / drug effects
  • Spinal Cord / physiopathology
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / drug therapy*
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / physiopathology
  • Thiadiazoles / pharmacology*

Substances

  • 4-benzyl-2-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazolidine-3,5-dione
  • GAP-43 Protein
  • Thiadiazoles
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3