INDUCTION AND ITS SPREAD OF APOPTOSIS IN RAT SPINAL-CORD AFTER MECHANICAL TRAUMA

This study was undertaken to examine the spinal cord of rats after tra uma for the induction of apoptosis. DNA ladder formation was demonstra ted by gel electrophoresis of the DNA obtained from the spinal cord at the site of injury after trauma from 12 h to 8 days and was most sign ificant on Days 3 and 4. As for the longitudinal spread of the injury in the spinal cord, the ladder formation was observed in the two segme nts adjacent to the site of trauma 3 days after trauma. Histological e xamination using in situ end labeling also demonstrated the appearance of apoptosis. These results provide the evidence for the induction of apoptosis in the spinal cord after trauma in rats.