Cefazolin

Two SCI animal models were used. Because TH⁺ neurons were observed throughout the length of the spinal cord, we transected the spinal cord at the higher thoracic level (T4) to study injury-induced intraspinal plasticity, as a high level of injury affects a substantial amount of spinal cord tissue below the injury. To evaluate bladder function, however, we performed T10-transection to complete remove supraspinal control and partially remove some propriospinal projections onto spinal micturition neuronal circuits as descending propriospinal projections may affect bladder function following SCI. Animals were anesthetized with 2% isoflurane. A partial laminectomy was performed at T3 or T9 vertebra to expose the dorsal spinal cord. The spinal cord was completely transected at T4 (T4–Tx; n = 18) or at T10 (T10–Tx; n = 52) using a No.11 blade. Lesion completeness was verified visually at the time of surgery and histologically following perfusion. Overlying musculature and skin were then closed. Animals were administered Lactated Ringer’s solution (Baxter Healthcare, Deerfield, IL), cefazolin (10 mg/kg), and buprenex (0.1 mg/kg; Reckitt Benckiser) post-operatively. Bladders were manually expressed at least twice daily until sacrifice.

Animals were anesthetized with 2% isoflurane for surgery. After the abdomen was shaved and cleaned with a Xenodine solution, rats were placed on the surgical station in supine position. A No. 10 blade was used to make a surgical lesion on the lower abdominal wall to expose the bladder. A total of 6 μL of PRV-152 (Bartha strain, 10⁹ pfu/mL, courtesy of Dr. Michael A. Lane), encoding for green fluorescent protein (GFP), was injected into the bladder detrusor at three different sites, including the front, and bilateral sides, 2 μL per site, with a 10 μL Hamilton syringe connected with a fine glass tip.^{14 (link),15 (link)} Injection sites were immediately sealed with a small drop of tissue glue. Overlying musculature and skin were then closed. Animals were administered with cefazolin (10 mg/kg) and buprenex (0.1 mg/kg; Reckitt Benckiser, Slough, United Kingdom) post-operation.