Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is up-regulated in severe acute cauda equina syndrome dog model.

To determine the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in experimental dog model of severe acute cauda equina syndrome, which was induced by multiple cauda equina constrictions throughout the entire lumbar (L), sacral (S) and coccygeal (Co) spinal cord and their central processes of the dorsal root ganglia neurons. Adult male mongrel dogs were randomly divided into 2 groups. The experiment group (n=4) was subjected to multiple cauda equina constrictions. The control group (n=4) was subjected to cauda equina exposure without constrictions. Level of BDNF in the spinal cord and the dorsal root ganglion cells (L7, S1-S3) was assessed 48 hours after multiple constrictions by immunohistochemical and histopathological analyses. 48 hours after multiple constrictions of cauda equina, up-regulation of BDNF within lumbosacral (L7-S3) spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion was observed in experimental group as compared to control group. Our result suggests that BDNF might play a role in the inflammatory and neuropathic pain as a result of multiple cauda equina constrictions. Regulation of BDNF level could potentially provide a therapy for treating cauda equina syndrome.