Effects of Systemic and Local Interferon Beta-1a on Epidural Fibrosis

Topical and systemic effects of medical ozone therapy on epidural fibrosis: Experimental research

INTRODUCTION

Epidural fibrosis (EF) causes adhesions in the epidural distance, resulting in chronic low back and leg pain symptoms during the postoperative period. Currently, ozone is used for treating lumbar disk herniation and low back pain. However, its effect on epidural fibrosis is largely unknown.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This rodent study examined the histopathological and biochemical effects of ozone therapy on epidural fibrosis. Forty-seven male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups, as follows: Control Group (CG) (n = 12): Laminectomy was performed, and no substance was applied. Saline Group (SG) (n = 11): Rats underwent intraoperative washing with 50 mL saline after laminectomy. Local Ozone Group (LOG) (n = 12): Rats underwent intraoperative washing with 50 mL ozonated distilled water after laminectomy. Systemic Ozone Group (SOG) (n = 12): Ozone was administered intraperitoneally (0.7 mg/kg) for 7 consecutive days postoperatively. At the end of 4 weeks, all subjects were sacrificed. Histopathological and biochemical data obtained from the tissues were analyzed in terms of EF.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences regarding EF, spinal cord retraction, inflammation, and fibroblast density were observed between the groups (p = 0.728; p = 0.813; p = 0.152; and p = 0.226, respectively). Hydroxyproline levels were higher in LOG than in SOG (p = 0.007); however, no statistically significant differences were observed among other groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, we could not record the positive effect of ozone therapy in terms of histopathology and biochemistry with the current doses and application methods. We think that caution should be exercised in the ozone dose and method of application in the clinical approach. In addition, we are of the opinion that statistically significant results can be obtained by creating a treatment protocol that includes different dose applications.

Spinal epidural fibrosis following hemostatic agent employment

OBJECTIVE

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) refers to a subset of patients who have new or persistent pain after spinal surgery for back or leg pain. Epidural fibrosis (EF) is a common cause of FBSS. Many agents aiming to prevent EF have been tested. However, hemostatic agents are readily available at hospitals, easy to reach and frequently used. For these reasons, oxidized regenerated cellulose, polysaccharide hemostat, hemostatic thrombin-gelatin matrix and chitosan linear polymer were evaluated for their effects on epidural fibrosis on rats after laminectomy.

METHODS

40 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 equal groups including the control group where only the laminectomy was performed. The other 4 groups received hemostatic agents after laminectomy. The rats were euthanized 45 days later and were assessed by a blinded observer to grade the fibrosis level.

RESULTS

The study revealed that oxidized regenerated cellulose, polysaccharide hemostat and hemostatic thrombin-gelatin matrix lowered the epidural fibrosis grade which was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Although chitosan linear polymer created fibrosis similar to the control group it was not proven to be statistically significant (p = 0.8999). However, when compared with other hemostatic agents it resulted in a higher fibrosis grade (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The results obtained from this experimental study revealed that Pahacel, Sealfoam and Surgiflo, were effective in reducing epidural fibrosis after laminectomy in rats.

Abrogating doxorubicin-induced chemobrain by immunomodulators IFN-beta 1a or infliximab: Insights to neuroimmune mechanistic hallmarks

Chemobrain is a well-established clinical syndrome that impairs patient's daily function, in particular attentiveness, coordination and multi-tasking. Thus, it interferes with patient's quality of life. The putative pharmacological intervention against chemobrain relies on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying it. This study aimed to examine the potential neuroprotective effects of two immunomodulators: Interferon-β-1a (IFN-β-1a), as well as Tumor necrosis function-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitor; Infliximab in doxorubicin (DOX)-induced chemobrain in rats. Besides, the current study targets investigating the possible molecular mechanisms in terms of neuromodulation and interference with different death routes controlling neural homeostasis. Herein, the two immunomodulators IFN-β-1a at a dose of 300,000 units; s.c.three times per week, or Infliximab at a dose of 5 mg/kg/week; i.p. once per week were examined against DOX (2 mg/kg/w, i.p.) once per week for 4 consecutive weeks in rats.The consequent behavioral tests and markers for cognitive impairment, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, apoptosis and neurobiological abnormalities were further evaluated. Briefly, IFN-β-1a or Infliximab significantly protected against DOX-induced chemobrain. IFN-β-1a or Infliximab ameliorated DOX-induced hippocampal histopathological neurodegenerative changes, halted DOX-induced cognitive impairment, abrogated DOX-induced mitochondrial oxidative, inflammatory and apoptotic stress, mitigated DOX-induced autophagic dysfunction and finally upregulated the mitophagic machineries. In conclusion, these findings suggest that either IFN-β-1a or Infliximab offers neuroprotection against DOX-induced chemobrain which could be explained by their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, pro-autophagic, pro-mitophagic and antiapoptotic effects. Future clinical studies are recommended to personalize either use of IFN-β-1a or infliximab to ameliorate DOX-induced chemobrain.