Metallothionein-II improves motor function recovery and increases spared tissue after spinal cord injury in rats

► We tested the neuroprotective effect MT-II in spinal cord injury in rats. ► MT-II improved motor function in rats treated with two doses of the protein. ► MT-II treatment increased spared spinal cord tissue. ► The neuroprotective effect of MT-II was dose-dependent. ► MT-II doses of 10 and 100 μg were neuroprotective against spinal cord injury.