Valproic Acid Ameliorates Locomotor Function in the Rat Model of Contusion via Alteration of Mst1, Bcl-2, and Nrf2 Gene Expression

In animal models of inflammatory diseases, Mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1 (Mst1) facilitates the programmed cell death as a novel pro-apoptotic kinase. This research aimed to determine the expression level of Mst1 gene in a rat model of SCI treated with valproic acid (VPA).

Severe rat model contusion was used for evaluation of the neuroprotective effect of valproic acid. The Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan test, was performed to determine locomotor functions. Hematoxylin/eosin staining and TUNEL assay were performed to detect cavity formation and apoptosis, respectively. The mRNA levels of the genes Mst1, nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2, and B-cell lymphoma 2 were evaluated, using quantitative real-time PCR acute spinal cord injury (RT-PCR).

The results revealed that Mst1 gene expression and TUNEL-positive cells in the VPA-treated group were significantly reduced as compared to the untreated group (p ≤ 0.05).

Our findings indicate that VPA has therapeutic potential and can be a candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and traumatic injury as a promising drug.