Cervical Compressive Myelopathy Mouse Model
Objective: Assess whether delayed decompression influences ischemia-reperfusion injury extent and alters neurological outcome trajectory in a degenerative cervical myelopathy mouse model, comparing delayed versus early decompression effects
Protocol Steps
Cervical Myelopathy Induction
Establish degenerative cervical myelopathy in mouse model
Note: DCM mouse model was used as the experimental model system
View evidence from paper
“Using a DCM mouse model, we show that decompression acutely led to a 1.5- to 2-fold increase in levels of inflammatory cytokines”
Early Decompression Group
Perform surgical decompression at early timepoint in experimental group
Note: Early decompression led to resolution of reperfusion-mediated inflammation and neurological improvement
View evidence from paper
“early decompression led to resolution of reperfusion-mediated inflammation, neurological improvement, and reduced hyperalgesia”
Delayed Decompression Group
Perform surgical decompression at delayed timepoint in control/comparison group
Note: Delayed decompression was associated with exacerbated reperfusion injury and poorer neurological recovery
View evidence from paper
“Delayed decompression was associated with exacerbated reperfusion injury, astrogliosis, and poorer neurological recovery”
Inflammatory Cytokine Assessment
Measure inflammatory cytokine levels within spinal cord tissue
Note: Decompression acutely led to 1.5- to 2-fold increase in inflammatory cytokines; delayed decompression associated with prolonged elevation
View evidence from paper
“decompression acutely led to a 1.5- to 2-fold increase in levels of inflammatory cytokines within the spinal cord”
Peripheral Monocytic Inflammatory Response Assessment
Assess peripheral monocytic inflammatory response in blood or systemic circulation
Note: Delayed decompression associated with exacerbated peripheral monocytic inflammatory response (P < 0.01 and 0.001)
View evidence from paper
“delayed decompression was associated with prolonged elevation of inflammatory cytokines and an exacerbated peripheral monocytic inflammatory response ( P < 0.01 and 0.001)”
Neurological Recovery Assessment
Evaluate neurological recovery and functional outcomes in both early and delayed decompression groups
Note: Early decompression resulted in neurological improvement; delayed decompression resulted in poorer neurological recovery
View evidence from paper
“early decompression led to resolution of reperfusion-mediated inflammation, neurological improvement, and reduced hyperalgesia”
Astrogliosis and Microglia Activation Assessment
Evaluate astrogliosis and microglia activation in spinal cord tissue
Note: Delayed decompression associated with exacerbated astrogliosis and microglia activation
View evidence from paper
“delayed surgical decompression for DCM exacerbates reperfusion injury and is associated with ongoing enhanced levels of cytokine expression, microglia activation, and astrogliosis”