Kadar Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 pada Kelinci New Zealand dengan Chronic Spinal Cord Injury Model

Abstract

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a medical condition that causes functional and psychological disorders due to fractures or dislocations of the vertebrae. Chronic spinal cord injury is a permanent and/or progressive disturbance in impulse conduction throughout spinal cord neurons. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) function to degrade extracellular matrix proteins, regulate extracellular matrix remodeling, and contribute to wound healing. MMPs have been shown to decrease basal lamina components, leading to blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption, and contribute to oxidative stress, demyelination, leukocyte infiltration, and progressive neuroinflammatory responses. MMP-9 also directly or indirectly affects neurological outcomes after SCI. Decreased MMP-9 expression in the lumbar region post-SCI may help restore learning ability in rats.

Methods: This study used experimental laboratory analytical methods on experimental animals with a posttest-only control group design. The experimental animal used was the New Zealand rabbit. A total of 30 samples were divided into three groups: group A (n=10, without compression treatment), group B (n=10, with compression treatment, MMP-9 measured on day 14), and group C (n=10, with compression treatment, MMP-9 measured on day 21). Research approval was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Commission, Universitas Sumatera Utara, with letter number 1034/KEPK/USU/2022. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA followed by the Tukey test.

Results: In the negative group, MMP-9 levels were 2.44 ± 0.88. There was an increase in the mean MMP-9 levels in the positive group, from 8.56 ± 1.23 on day 14 to 11.22 ± 1.20 on day 21. Analysis of differences in mean MMP-9 levels between groups showed a significant difference based on examination time (p < 0.001). Further Tukey post hoc analysis demonstrated significant differences in MMP-9 levels between all paired examination times (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: There was an increase in the mean MMP-9 levels in experimental animals treated with spinal compression measured on day 21 compared to animals without compression treatment and those measured on day 14.