Objective
We studied effects of dexamethasone on neurogenic bladder and paralysis in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) rat model for multiple sclerosis.
Method: Thirty-five female Lewis rats were used in the study. Thirteen rats used as normal cystometrogram controls. Twenty-two rats induced EAE were divided into two groups: ten rats as control and twelve rats as dexamethasone injection group. Bladder dysfunction by cystometrogram, severity of weakness, and duration of paralysis were evaluated every other day after the onset of paralysis.
Results: Dexamethasone injection group compared to control group presented short duration of bladder dysfunction (2.5 vs. 4.2 day, p＜0.05) and paralysis (4.5 vs. 7.3 day, p＜0.05). There was a trend for lesser paralysis in the dexamethasone injection group, than control group (weakness scores were 2.4 vs. 3.6, p＞0.05), but it was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: Dexamethasone ameliorates the course of paralysis and bladder dysfunction in EAE. We suggest that dexamethasone treatment is an effective method in treating neurogenic bladder and paralysis in multiple sclerosis.
