Human recombinant erythropoietin improves motor function in rats with spinal cord compression-induced cervical myelopathy.

EPO improved motor function in rats with compression-induced cervical myelopathy. EPO suppressed neuronal cell apoptosis, protected motor neurons, and induced axonal protection and plasticity. The neuroprotective effects were produced following transfer of EPO into the spinal cord tissue. These findings suggest that EPO has high potential as a treatment for degenerative cervical myelopathy.