BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Human serum albumin (HA) is a unique multifunctional protein with neuroprotective properties. We aimed to delineate the mechanisms of HA-induced neuroprotection, supresses infl ammatory response and lipid peroxidation after spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Adult female Wistar rats weighing 210-250 g were used for the study. The rats were randomly and blindly allocated into fi ve groups. The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for parametric data and Shapiro-Wilk test was used for evaluating the normal distribution of the variables. Kruskal-Wallis for nonparametric data was used to compare groups. Electron and light microscopies were used to demonstrate ultrastructural changes in spinal cord. RESULTS: The HA group was signifi cantly different from all the other groups (p < 0.05). Both MPSS and HA treatments decreased the MPO signifi cantly. HA treatment decreased the lipid peroxidation. HA treatment prevented the worsening of clinical results. In the HA treatment group, the ultrastructure was protected signifi cantly. The neuronal bodies and axonal structures were normal except for some limited edematous spaces. CONCLUSIONS: HA improves early clinical results, protects spinal cord ultrastructure, and decreases MPO and LPO levels after spinal cord contusion injury (Tab. 3, Fig. 3, Ref. 39). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.