Beneficial Effects of Melatonin Combined with Exercise on Endogenous Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells Proliferation after Spinal Cord Injury

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2014 · DOI: 10.3390/ijms15022207 · Published: January 30, 2014

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Neurology

Simple Explanation

Following a spinal cord injury, the body attempts to repair itself by generating new neurons and glial cells from neural stem/progenitor cells. This study investigates whether combining melatonin treatment with exercise can enhance this natural healing process. The researchers administered melatonin and implemented a treadmill exercise program for rats with spinal cord injuries. They then analyzed the effects on cell proliferation and functional recovery. The findings suggest that the combination of melatonin and exercise may create an environment that supports the growth of new cells to replace damaged ones, ultimately leading to improved regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord injury.

Study Duration

3 weeks

Participants

40 male 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The combination of melatonin and exercise significantly improved hindlimb function compared to the spinal cord injury group alone.
2
The SCI+MT+Ex group showed a higher density of dendritic spines and axons.
3
The combined therapy increased the number of BrdU-positive nestin-expressing eNSPCs, suggesting a synergistic effect on neural stem cell proliferation.

Research Summary

This study demonstrates a synergistic effect between melatonin treatment and physical exercise in a rat spinal cord injury model with behavioral improvement, histological recovery, and increased BrdU/nestin double positive endogenous eNSPCs numbers. The functional contributions of the newly forming neural cells derived from the BrdU/nestin double positive cells have not yet been characterized. We suggest nestin-positive neural stem cells could be induced by dual treatment, and that they may contribute to the replacement of cells lost, and differentiation of neurons and glia, which are more effectively integrated eventually into neural circuits. Our findings suggest that melatonin may have therapeutic potential because it contributes to activating adult neural stem cells; at this time, conducting exercise simultaneously may help to enhance the intrinsic potential for recovery from spinal cord injury.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

Melatonin, combined with exercise, could be a potential therapeutic strategy for promoting recovery after spinal cord injury.

Cellular Replacement

The study suggests that the combined therapy promotes the generation of new neural cells, potentially replacing damaged cells in the spinal cord.

Functional Improvement

The improved cell proliferation and differentiation could lead to better functional outcomes, such as improved motor function, after spinal cord injury.

Study Limitations

1
The functional contributions of the newly forming neural cells derived from the BrdU/nestin double positive cells have not yet been characterized.
2
In this study, there is a limitation in not comparing the effects of exercise alone and exercise combined with melatonin treatment.
3
It is not yet clear which molecular mechanism(s) underlie the effect of melatonin on adult neural stem cells.

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