Spinal Cord Transection in Rats: The Therapeutic Effects of Dimethyl Sulfoxide and Hyperbaric Oxygen

Investigators have reported that DMSO protected axons and their myelin sheaths, reduced edema, increased blood flow, and accelerated return of function. Although many of the animals in the above studies underwent behavioral testing, histological data from the lesion site in the spinal cord studies were derived from short term animals. Thus, the purpose of the following series of experiments was to critically evaluate histological and behavioral effects of HBO and DMSO therapy in spinal cord injured rats following extended post-lesion recovery periods.
This article is from 'Conference on Biological Actions and Medical Applications of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO), 15-17 September 1982,' AD-A133 175. p218-233. Prepared in cooperation with Southern Illinois Univ., Alton. School of Dental Medicine.