SPINAL CORD SLICE culture from mammals is one of important methods for studing SPINAL CORD injury, evaluation of cell viability and cell death mechanisms. The aim of this study was to establish an in vitro model for culturing SPINAL CORD SLICE by MTT [3 – (4, 5- dimethy lthiazol-2-yl) -2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide] assay. The thoracic region of SPINAL CORD from adult mouse was transversally SLICEd to 300-600 μm, using a tissue chopper. The SLICEs were incubated with culture media in the presence or absence of serum for different period of time. MTT assay was used to assess the viability of the SLICEs. After 24 h, 400-μm-thick SLICEs displayed a significant increase (P<0.01) in viability compared to both thinner and thicker SLICEs. At this time point, a significant increase (P<0.001) was found in the viability of SLICEs cultured in serum containing medium compared to serum free medium. Qualitative MTT assay also revealed an intense staining in both gray and white matter of freshly prepared SLICEs. However, after 24 h, the distribution of MTT staining was less pronounced in the SLICEs particularly in SLICEs cultured in serum-free medium compared to serum containing medium. Our results suggest that MTT assay is a useful tool for evaluating adult mouse SPINAL CORD SLICEs and that both SLICE thickness and the presence of serum into the medium affect viability in such SLICEs.

Polyphenols have been shown to have some of the neuroprotective effects against neurodegenerative diseases. These effects are attributed to a variety of biological activities, including free radical scavenging/antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities. In this regard, many efforts have been made to study the effects of various well-known dietary polyphenols on SPINAL CORD injury (SCI) and to explore the mechanisms behind the neuroprotective effects. The aim of this paper is to present the mechanisms of neuroprotection of natural polyphenols used in animal models of SCI.