<b><i>Effect of antioxidant therapy on neurotrophic factor expression and inflammation six weeks after thoracic spinal cord injury</i></b>

Intraspinal as well as intramuscular administrations of brain- or glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF, GDNF) have been shown to protect neural tissue and promote functional recovery after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). In contrast to these local invasive therapies, systemic approaches did not show similar effects. Interestingly, a diet rich in antioxidants may stimulate the endogenous production of neurotrophic factors (NFs). Therefore, our study investigated how carnosine, a natural antioxidant commonly used as a supplement by many athletes, affects functional recovery, NF production, and cellular responses six weeks after SCI.