Strategies for the development of in vitro models of spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury: Oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation

Background

In vitro models tailored for spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury are pivotal for investigation of the mechanisms underlying spinal cord injuries. We conducted a two-phased study to identify the optimal conditions for establishing an in vitro model of spinal cord ischemia–reperfusion injury using primary rat spinal motor neurons.

New method

In the first phase, cell cultures were subjected to oxygen deprivation (OD) only, glucose deprivation (GD) only, or simultaneous deprivation of oxygen and glucose [oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)] for different durations (1, 2, and 6 h). In the second phase, different durations of re-oxygenation (1, 12, and 24 h) were applied after 1 h of OGD to determine the optimal duration simulating reperfusion injury.

Results and comparison with existing method(s)

GD for 6 h significantly reduced cell viability (91 % of control, P<0.001) and increase cytotoxicity (111 % of control, P<0.001). OGD for 1 h and 2 h, resulted in a significant decrease in cell viability (80 % of control P<0.001, respectively), and increase in cytotoxicity (130 % of control, P<0.001, respectively). Re-oxygenation for 1, 12, and 24 h worsened ischemic injury following 1 h of OGD (all P<0.05).

Conclusions

Our results may provide a valuable guide to devise in vitro models of spinal cord ischemia–reperfusion injury using primary spinal motor neurons.