The effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on inflammatory cytokines after acute spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) on proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha, and explore its healing effect after acute spinal cord injury. METHODS: Forty-eight male Wistar-Albino rats were used in this study which was planned as three groups. All groups were divided into two sub-groups. Group la was the control group, in which only lower segment thoracic laminectomy was performed. In group lb, spinal cord trauma was performed with aneurysm clip. In the second group, serum physiologic was given systemically thirty minutes after trauma, and rats were sacrificed after the first and sixth hour. In the third group, CAPE was given systemically thirty minutes after trauma, and rats were sacrificed after the first and sixth hour. Serum IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha levels were analyzed by ELISA in the serum. Histopathological analysis was performed in damaged cord tissues. RESULTS: CAPE suppressed TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta levels in the serum. In histopathological evaluation, it was detected that CAPE decreased hemorrhage and necrosis. CONCLUSION: CAPE suppresses the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta, after acute spinal cord injury in the early phase and contributes to the healing process.