Use of Brilliant Blue G to Improve Recovery After a Spinal Cord Injury

Administration of an antagonist of theATP-sensitive receptor P2X7

Results of Spinal Cord InjuryExcess of Extracellular ATP

Activation of P2X7 acceptors

Change in astrocytes

Motor neuron death

Effects of Extracellular ATP 1 Treatment– No

Change

2 Treatments – 27% Degradation

3 Treatments – 36% Degradation

Comparison of ATP to Degradation products of ATP

Activation of P2X7 Through Other MeansP2X7 agonist 2',3'-O-(4-

benzoylbenzoyl)ATP(BzATP) used to activate P2X7

30% motor neuron attrition

Inhibition of P2X7Based on previous experiments using P2X7

agonists, researchers posited the use of an antagonist would block the phenotype change in the astrocytes.

OxATP

Brilliant Blue G(BBG)Also known as FD&C Blue #1

Lab rats paralyzed by dropping a 10 gram weight from a height of 12.5 mm onto the spinal cord

Three test groupsVehicle10 mg/kg50 mg/kg

Surprising ResultsTreatment with BBG

for 3 consecutive days

Regained ability to walk

Turned Eyes and Skin Blue!

Results at 42 DaysBBG Treated Vehicle TreatedMovement of hind legs

Coordinated movement of front and rear legs

Ability to support plantar steps

Movement of hind legs

Not coordinated

Could not support plantar steps

Comparing resultsUntreated Treated