Systemic but not local administration of retinoic acid reduces early transcript levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines after experimental spinal cord injury

▶ Anti-inflammatory effect of retinoic acid determined by route of administration. ▶ Intrathecal retinoic acid doses up to 100 ng do not reduce early neuroinflammation. ▶ Systemic high dose retinoic acid is of therapeutic benefit in spinal cord injury.