Neurological improvement in patients with chronic spinal cord injury treated with leuprolide acetate, an agonist of GnRH

Abstract

It has been reported that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), and its analogue leuprolide acetate (LA), have neurotrophic properties; particularly in the regeneration of injured spinal cord in animal models and in the case of a patient with spinal cord injury (SCI). The aim of this study was to establish whether treatment with LA improves sensitivity, motor activity and independence in patients with chronic SCI. Patients were treated LA once a month for six months. They were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of treatment; using a sensitivity and motor impairment scale, according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA), and grade of independence scale; employing the spinal cord independence measure (SCIM). Statistical analysis showed a significant improvement in the ASIA sensory score and the SCIM score when comparing the initial versus final evaluation after six months of LA administration. Some patients showed an increase in frequency of bowel movements. Treatment with LA induces improvements in sensitivity, motor activity and independence in patients with chronic SCI. One advantage of this protocol is that it is a non-invasive method of easy and safe application, with few side effects.

Effect of Leuprolide Acetate, a GnRH Agonist, on Neuroinflammation and Anxiety-Like Behavior after Mild Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy in Rat Model

“…More research is still needed to clarify the effectiveness of LA in moderate to severe cases of HIE, and it would also be worth comparing the use of LA with other anti-inflammatory treatments to see if it provides extra benefits due to the neuroregenerative properties that have been reported in other nervous system conditions [ 28 , 29 ]. In addition, it is recommended to evaluate the safety of its use in neonates and the long-term effect since the administration of GnRH-R agonists have effect in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.…”

Effects of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy on Functional Recovery and Circulating miR-375 and miR-382-5p after Subacute and Chronic Spinal Cord Contusion Injury in Rats

“…Additionally, neuroprotective effects of miR-375 through p53 inhibition have been described in patients suffering from spinal muscle atrophy [ 31 ]. In another study, miR-375 was shown to target Sp1 and Tle4, resulting in enhanced GnRH secretion [ 62 ], well known for its beneficial role after SCI [ 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 ], even in chronic SCI patients [ 67 ].…”

The Therapeutic Effect of Shugan Xiehuo Formula in the Female Rat Model with Central Precocious Puberty

“…Thus, in this research, the female rat model with CPP was successfully established by subcutaneous injections of NMA (40 mg/kg). LP is a type of GnRH analog, which is commonly used in the clinical treatment of childhood CPP [ 14 , 15 ]. Research has shown that LP at a dose of 100 μ g/kg can control the development of gonads in rats [ 16 ].…”