Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2026
Abstract
Introduction: Chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) has been considered a potential treatment for spinal cord injury (SCI). We aim to identify and evaluate the histopathological effects of intrathecal ChABC administration in SCI rat models.
Methods: We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library for studies published from the inception of each database until November 22, 2022.
Results: Of 3857 screened citations, 17 studies met eligibility criteria and were entered into the qualitative analysis. Sixteen studies were of high quality, and one study was of medium quality. The four main rat strains used in studies were Sprague-Dawley, Wistar, Lister hooded, and Long-Evans. ChABC treatment phases were considered acute (within 24 hours after injury), subacute (5 or 7 days after injury), or chronic (4 or 6 weeks after injury). Accordingly, ChABC administration in the acute phase of injury significantly reduced cyst formation and promoted tissue preservation and sensory neuron plasticity. Regardless of the treatment phase, ChABC administration significantly promoted serotonergic and corticospinal fiber plasticity. Nine of the 14 studies reporting on functional outcomes found that ChABC administration, alone or in combination with other treatments, including rehabilitation, improved motor function.
Conclusion: The specification of anatomical changes associated with ChABC treatment can explain the functional improvements reported with its use in SCI. The limited studies on more clinically relevant contusion and compression injury models warrant further investigation of these models and alternative treatment phases.
Recommended Citation
Habibi, Mohammad Amin; Anjomshoa, Ali; Sadeghi-Naini, Mohsen; Ghodsi, Zahra; Kankam, Samuel Berchi; Razavi, Erfan; Aryannejad, Armin; Piri, Seyed Mohammad; Ramezani, Akam; Atlasi, Rasha; Mohamed, Kawthar; Shoo, Sina; Kaveh, Meysam; Fotouhi, Akbar; Zeinaddini, Arman; Harrop, James S.; Vaccaro, Alex R.; Fehlings, Michael G.; and Rahimi-Movaghar, Vafa, "Histopathological Effects of the Intrathecal Chondroitinase ABC Administration in Spinal Cord Injured Rats: A Systematic Review" (2026). Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers. Paper 271.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/orthofp/271
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Language
English
Comments
This article is the author's final published version in Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Volume 17, Issue 1, 2026.
The published version is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.32598/bcn.2025.5588.1. Copyright © 2026 The Author(s).