Minimizing secondary spinal cord injuries with hypertonic saline.

Author

Francisco A. Cortez-Thomas, University of LouisvilleFollow

Date on Master's Thesis

5-2025

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

M. Eng.

Department

Bioengineering

Committee Chair

Kopechek, Jonathan A.

Committee Member

Stirling, David

Committee Member

Roussel, Thomas

Committee Member

Kolers, Avery

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) disrupts white matter, causing periaxonal swelling, axonal degeneration, and impaired function. To examine vascular edema’s role, we developed a 3Dprinted dual-compartment imaging chamber to mimic and manipulate interstitial and vascular fluid dynamics in real time. We hypothesized that hypertonic saline (HTS) in the "vascular" chamber would osmotically shift fluid from the periaxonal space and preserve myelinated fibers after SCI. Using two-photon excitation microscopy, we imaged myelin and axons ex vivo in Thy1^YFP+ transgenic mice following C5 contusive SCI and assessed three clinically relevant HTS concentrations versus normal saline for their effectiveness in mitigating periaxonal swelling and axonal spheroid formation. The most effective HTS concentration was then administered in vivo post-SCI to assess functional recovery in a T9 contusion model, where BMS subscores and motion sequencing (MoSeq) revealed that 3% HTS improved subtle locomotor recovery, supporting HTS as a potential therapy in secondary axonal degeneration.

Recommended Citation

Cortez-Thomas, Francisco A., "Minimizing secondary spinal cord injuries with hypertonic saline." (2025). Master of Engineering Theses. Paper 2.
Retrieved from https://ir.library.louisville.edu/speed_meng/2