THE EFFECT OF TRAPIDIL ON THE REACTIVE ASTROCYTIC PROLIFERATION FOLLOWING SPINAL-CORD TRAUMA IN RATS - LIGHT AND ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC FINDINGS

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) released from platelets is one o f the mitogens in serum, which plays a major role upon the cell biolog y, namely enhancing cell division and controlling of the maturation, e specially upon the glial cell growth and its differentiation. Trapidil , which is an anti-PDGF agent, inhibits the effect of PDGF, especially the proliferative effects on the glial and tumoral cells in vitro. Pr evious studies suggested that the astrocytic proliferation stimulated by PDGF was inhibited by trapidil via the selective antagonism. Trapid il was not found to have a considerable effect on the prevention of no npermissive astrocytes in this study. It should be theorised that trap idil, administered immediately even after the trauma, could not reach the injury site in effective measure because of secondary events such as edema and impairment of blood circulation. This suggestion should b e another subject for studies concerning trapidil which is administere d prior to the trauma.