Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2023, Vol. 18 ›› Issue (1): 23-30.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.344830

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Molecular approaches for spinal cord injury treatment

Fernanda Martins de Almeida1, 2, Suelen Adriani Marques1, 3, Anne Caroline Rodrigues dos Santos1, 3, Caio Andrade Prins1, #br# Fellipe Soares dos Santos Cardoso1, Luiza dos Santos Heringer1, Henrique Rocha Mendonça1, 4, Ana Maria Blanco Martinez1, *    

  1. 1Laboratório de Neurodegeneração e Reparo, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina: Anatomia Patológica, Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 2Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 3Instituto de Biologia, Departamento de Neurobiologia, Laboratório de Regeneração Neural e Função, UFF, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 4Laboratório Integrado de Morfologia, Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade NUPEM, Programa de Pós-graduação Multicêntrico em Ciências Fisiológicas – SBFis, Centro Multidisciplinar UFRJ-Macaé, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Macaé, Brazil
  • Online:2023-01-15 Published:2022-06-16
  • Contact: Ana Maria Blanco Martinez, MD, PhD, anamartinez@hucff.ufrj.br.
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by CAPES, Faperj and CNPq, as well as ‘‘National Institute of Science and Technology for Regenerative Medicine”, CNPq, Brazil (to AMBM).

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Abstract: Injuries to the spinal cord result in permanent disabilities that limit daily life activities. The main reasons for these poor outcomes are the limited regenerative capacity of central neurons and the inhibitory milieu that is established upon traumatic injuries. Despite decades of research, there is still no efficient treatment for spinal cord injury. Many strategies are tested in preclinical studies that focus on ameliorating the functional outcomes after spinal cord injury. Among these, molecular compounds are currently being used for neurological recovery, with promising results. These molecules target the axon collapsed growth cone, the inhibitory microenvironment, the survival of neurons and glial cells, and the re-establishment of lost connections. In this review we focused on molecules that are being used, either in preclinical or clinical studies, to treat spinal cord injuries, such as drugs, growth and neurotrophic factors, enzymes, and purines. The mechanisms of action of these molecules are discussed, considering traumatic spinal cord injury in rodents and humans.

Key words: axonal regeneration, drugs, enzymes, growth factors, molecular therapy, neurotrophic factors, purines, spinal cord injury