Dose-dependent neuroprotection of delta-opioid peptide [D-Ala2, D-Leu5] enkephalin on spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury by regional perfusion into the abdominal aorta in rabbits

As a serious consequence of thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair surgery, paraplegia or paraparesis poses a permanent impairment and devastating threat to patients. In this study, we found that delta-opioid peptide [D-Ala2, D-Leu5] enkephalin (DADLE), infused into the clamped abdominal aorta during a period of ischemia, could effectively attenuate spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury in rabbits. The dose-dependent effect of DADLE against spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury was observed and appeared most significant at a DADLE dose of 0.05 mg/kg. This result may indicate a potential and promising drug for clinical treatment of serious consequences, such as paraplegia, after thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair surgery.