DIHYDROXY-6-NITRO-7-SULFAMOYL-BENZO(F)-QUINOXALINE (NBQX) INCREASES FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTOR MESSENGER-RNA LEVELS AFTER CONTUSIVE SPINAL-CORD INJURY

We have previously demonstrated that the glutamatergic receptor (AMPA) antagonist 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoyl-benzo(F)- quinoxaline (N BQX) reduces functional deficits in a standardized rat model of contus ive spinal cord injury (SCI). NBQX not only acted to protect neurons f rom excitotoxicity but also, unexpectedly, enhanced sparing of white m atter including axons of descending pathways. We have therefore invest igated mechanisms through which NBQX could produce beneficial effects for white matter. We report here that NBQX elicits a rapid and selecti ve induction of FGF2 mRNA levels in injured spinal cord. This novel ef fect could contribute to the therapeutic properties of NBQX in the tre atment of SCI. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.