Identification of regulated genes associated with ketogenic diet treatment following SCI

To evaluate the changes in gene expression after spinal cord injury (SCI) and treatment with a Ketogenic Diet or a Control Diet (Refs., CD: F5960, Bioserv®; KD: F5848, Bioserv®), gene expression was studied 7 days after SCI surgery in rats. A total of 8 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (~300 g at time of injury; Harlan Breeding Laboratory) were group-housed (21°C; 12 h: 12 h light:dark cycle). After a unilateral C5 laminectomy -dorsal processes of C4-C6 were held with a clamp and fixed in a frame tilted at a 22.5° angle and the cord was consutesd with a force of 150 Kdynes using the Infinite Horizon impactor- the animals were given ad libitum access to the 2 diets. Total RNA was isolated from 5-mm segment centered on the site of impact. Changes in gene expression in injured spinal cords were measured at 1 week post injury after the animals were fed ad libitum with either a tandard or Control Diet (SD) or a Ketogenic Diet (KD) for the entire length of the experiment.