Evaluation of the effects of berberine in the prevention of epidural fibrosis in rats: An experimental research

Emrah Keskin; Çağhan Tönge; Mustafa Kaya; Emre Işık

doi:10.15537/smj.2022.43.4.20210918

Article Figures & Data

Figures

Tables

Download figure
Open in new tab
Download powerpoint
Figure 1
- The experimental design of 4 groups with 8 rats in each group. The dura mater was exposed by laminectomy in all rats in all groups. Low-dose berberine (Group 3) and high-dose berberine (Group 4) were administered to the treatment groups.
Download figure
Open in new tab
Download powerpoint
Figure 2
- Histopathological findings (Masson trichrome, original magnification 100×). A) Thin epidural fibrosis (F) adhered to dura mater (in group 4, only a thin fibrous band is seen between the scar tissue and the dura). B) Epidural F covered less than 2/3 of the laminectomy defect and adhered to dura mater (grade 2 fibrosis in group 3). C) Epidural F covered less than 2/3 of the laminectomy defect and adhered to dura mater (grade 2 fibrosis in group 2). D) Epidural F completely covered the laminectomy defect and adhered to the underlying dura mater (grade 3 fibrosis in group 1). MS: medulla spinalis, B: bone

Tables

Figures

View popup

Table 1

- Histopathological classification of epidural fibrosis.²³

Grades	Criteria
Grade 0	No fibrosis affecting the dura mater
Grade I	Only a thin fibrous band between the scar tissue and dura
Grade II	Adhesion continues to progress but does not cover the entire laminectomy defect (less than 2/3)
Grade III	Scar tissue adhesion is larger, constituting more than 2/3 of the laminectomy defect or extending to the nerve root

View popup

Table 2

- Comparison of fibrosis grades between the study groups.

Groups	Grade I	Grade II	Grade III	Mean±SD	Groups differences	P-value*
Groups	Grade I	n (%)	Grade III	Mean±SD	Groups differences	P-value*
1 (n=8)		2 (25.0)	6 (75.0)	2.75±0.46	p<0.01^†	≤0.001
2 (n=8)		3 (37.5)	5 (62.5)	2.63±0.52	p<0.01^‡
3 (n=8)	2 (25)	4 (50.0)	2 (25.0)	2.00±0.76	-
4 (n=8)	3 (37.5)	5 (62.5)		1.63±0.52	p<0.01^†, p<0.01^‡

Data are presented as number and precentage. One way ANOVA with Tukey post hoc test was used to assess differences between the groups. ^†Group 1 versus group 4, ^‡group 2 versus group 4, *comparison of fibrosis grades between groups, group 1: control, group 2: spongostane group, group 3: low-dose berberine (BBR), group 4: high-dose BBR, SD: standard deviation

View popup
Table 3
- Comparison of arachnoidal involvement between different groups.
Groups Arachnoidal involvement P-value*
No Yes
n (%)
1 3 (37.5) 5 (62.5) <0.05
2 5 (62.5) 3 (37.5)
3 8 (100) -
4 7 (87.5) 1 (12.5)
Data are presented as number and precentage. Likelihood ratio test was run for differences among the groups. *comparison of arachnoidal involvement between the groups, group 1: control, group 2: spongostane group, group 3: low-dose berberine (BBR), group 4: high-dose BBR
View popup
Table 4
- Comparison of hydroxyproline level between different groups.
Groups n Median (Q1-Q3) Groups differences P-value*
1 8 1.54 (1.40-1.77) µ/mL p<0.01† <0.001*
2 8 1.48 (1.29-1.61) µ/mL -
3 8 1.31 (1.24-1.42) µ/mL -
4 8 1.19 (0.71-1.33) µ/mL p<0.01^†
Kriskal-Wallis with Scheffe post hoc test was used to assess differences between the groups. Results presented as median (interquartile range: Q1-Q3) due to nonparametric distribution. ^†Group 1 versus group 4, *Comparison of hydroxyproline between groups, group 1: control, group 2: spongostane group, group 3: low-dose berberine (BBR), group 4: high-dose BBR