Dogs with severe accidental spinal cord injuries resulting in complete paralysis, appear to recover more quickly and completely when they’re given injections of polyethylene glycol (PEG), investigators report. They hope these results lead to better treatment for humans with spinal cord injuries.

Polyethylene glycol is a common polymer compound that has been used to enhance the effects several drugs, among other uses.

In previous research, Dr. Richard B. Borgens, at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, and his team saw that PEG could ” fuse” severed nerves in the spinal cord of guinea pigs.

Their current study involved dogs brought to a veterinary hospital with naturally occurring spinal injuries they had suffered no more than three days previously.

In total, 19 animals were given PEG and 16 were given a related compound, P188, in two intravenous injections 4 to 6 hours apart. Treatment also included normal methods of relieving compression of the spinal cord and standard drugs.

Compared with 24 previous dogs that had not been given PEG or P188 treatment, the treated dogs showed improved recovery of pain sensation approximately 24 to 48 hours after the last injection, the researchers report in the Journal of Neurotrauma.

The team saw no complications associated with polymer treatment.

In total, 68 percent of PEG-treated and 56 percent of P188-treated dogs regained the ability to walk. In the comparison group of untreated animals, the proportion was 25 percent.

In fact, say the investigators, “three of the polymer-treated dogs had recovered so completely that any remaining deficit could only be determined by a trained observer.”

In a statement, Borgens concluded that PEG treatment is not likely to help people who already have spinal injuries. However, he added, “Once treatment is refined, we hope it will prevent future spinal injuries from paralyzing victims permanently.”

SOURCE: Journal of Neurotrauma, December 2004.