Additional benefits of combined ceftriaxone and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells on revamping the outcomes in rodent after acute spinal infection

Journal of Molecular Histology, 2025 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10735-024-10344-9 · Published: January 6, 2025

Regenerative Medicine Immunology Orthopedics

Simple Explanation

This research investigates the potential of combining ceftriaxone, an antibiotic, with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) to treat acute spinal infections (ASI) in rats. The study aims to determine if this combination therapy offers superior protection to the spinal cord compared to using ceftriaxone alone. The study involved inducing ASI in rats and then treating them with either ceftriaxone, ADMSCs, a combination of both, or no treatment (control groups). The researchers then compared various markers of inflammation, bacterial load, and bone damage among the groups to assess the effectiveness of the treatments. The results suggest that the combined therapy of ceftriaxone and ADMSCs provides an additional benefit in protecting the spinal cord and vertebral bone against ASI damage. This was evidenced by reduced inflammation, lower bacterial counts, and improved bone health in the group receiving the combined treatment.

Study Duration

28 days

Participants

42 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The combination of ceftriaxone and ADMSCs resulted in significantly lower levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in both circulatory and spinal cord fluid compared to ceftriaxone or ADMSCs alone, indicating a stronger anti-inflammatory effect.
2
Rats treated with the combined therapy exhibited lower bacterial colony formation units (CFU) in vertebral bone and circulation, suggesting better control of the infection.
3
Micro-CT scans revealed that the combined therapy group had higher bone marrow density (BMD) and improved bone volume/trabecular volume (BV/TV) ratio, demonstrating a protective effect on bone structure.

Research Summary

This study evaluated the therapeutic effect of combined ceftriaxone and ADMSCs in a rodent model of acute spinal infection (ASI). The results showed that the combined therapy was superior to ceftriaxone or ADMSCs alone in reducing inflammation, controlling bacterial load, and protecting bone structure. The findings suggest that ceftriaxone-ADMSCs therapy may be a promising therapeutic strategy for ASI, especially in cases refractory to conventional treatment.

Practical Implications

Clinical Treatment Strategies

The combined therapy of ceftriaxone and ADMSCs could be a novel approach for treating acute spinal infections, especially in patients who do not respond well to traditional antibiotic treatments.

Inflammation Control

The study underscores the importance of controlling inflammation in spinal infections. The combined therapy's superior anti-inflammatory effect suggests that addressing the inflammatory response is crucial for effective treatment.

Bone Protection

The research emphasizes the need to protect bone structure during spinal infections. The combined therapy's positive impact on bone marrow density and bone volume suggests that it can help prevent bone damage and promote bone regeneration.

Study Limitations

1
The study period was only 28 days, which may not reflect the chronic outcomes of spinal infection.
2
The underlying mechanism of bacterial spinal cord injury and the therapeutic impact of ceftriaxone-ADMSCs were based solely on the results of this study.
3
The study used a rodent model, and further research is needed to confirm these findings in humans.

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