S-100β, a small monomer of the calcium-binding S-100 protein family with a molecular weight of about 10 kDa, has been found in both astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.1 Being present throughout the cytosol and as components of cytoskeleton and membranes; it has been suggested that S-100β is involved in guiding the progression of cells through the cell cycle.2 With a little over one and a half hours, S-100β has a relatively short half life, which makes it a good candidate for assessment in emergency situations like central nervous system (CNS) trauma. 3 The results of studies conducted by a number of authors have shown that serum levels of S-100β can be used as predictor for the extent of tissue injury in the CNS. Most of these studies have been conducted in adult and paediatric patients who had suffered head trauma of varying degrees. [4][5][6][7][8][9] Other studies ABSTRACT: Background: It has been shown previously that S-100β levels in serum correspond with the severity of central nervous system (CNS) trauma. It also has been suggested that S-100β in CNS tissue is involved in neuroprotection and neuroregeneration. We have previously shown that administration of quercetin results in improved motor function in an animal model of spinal cord trauma. Methods: Mid-thoracic spinal cord compression injury was produced in adult male Wistar rats. Serum and tissue samples were acquired from quercetin-treated animals (25 µmol / kg) and saline controls at 6, 12 and 24 hours after the trauma. S-100β levels were measured using a luminometric assay in the damaged tissue and in the serum of the animals. Results: The increase in serum S-100β levels seen in saline controls after spinal cord trauma was ameliorated in the quercetin-treated animals at all time points, although the difference to saline controls became statistically significant only at 24 hrs after the trauma. Compared to tissue S-100β levels in healthy animals, values were significantly decreased in saline controls at all three time points, while they were decreased at 6 hrs and increased at both 12 and 24 hrs in quercetin-treated animals. At all three time points tissue S-100β levels were significantly higher in quercetin-treated animals than in saline controls. Conclusions: Administration of quercetin results in modification of S-100β levels in the setting of experimental spinal cord trauma. The kinetic patterns of the S-100β fluctuations in serum and tissue suggest that post-traumatic administration of quercetin decreases the extent of CNS injury.RÉSUMÉ: L'administration de quercétine après un traumatisme à la moelle épinière modifie les niveaux de S-100β. Contexte : Des travaux antérieurs ont démontré que les niveaux de S-100β du sérum correspondent à la sévérité du traumatisme au niveau du système nerveux central (SNC) et il est possible que le S-100β joue un rôle dans la neuroprotection et la neurorégénération du SNC. Nous avons démontré antérieurement que l'administration de quercétine améliore la fonction motrice chez un modèle animal de traumatisme de la moe...