BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury (SCI) has a high incidence and causes serious harm. Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) receptor agonist BML-111 was reported to regulate inflammation and oxidative stress. The goal of this study was to assess whether BML-111 could protect against SCI by suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We developed a rat SCI model, then BML-111 was intraperitoneally injected into SCI rats to observe the BML-111 function. The pathological changes of SCI were observed with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Motor function of rats were assessed by the modified Tarlov’s scale. ELISA was used to assess the changes in levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Western blot analysis was performed to assess the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, Bcl2, Bax, and cleaved caspase3 in spinal cord tissue. TOS and TAS in rat serum were detected by xylenol orange method and ABTS method, respectively. The apoptotic cells in spinal cord tissue were observed with TUNEL assay.

RESULTS: The results indicated that BML-111 effectively improved the SCI and motor function of rats. BML-111 treatment decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in serum and spinal cord tissue, as well as decreasing the levels of TOS and TAS and cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS: BML-111 alleviated inflammation and oxidative stress in SCI rats.

Keywords: Spinal Cord Injuries, Heptanoic Acids, Interleukin-6, Lipoxins, Protective Agents, Receptors, Lipoxin, Spinal Cord