Biodegradable chitin conduit tubulation combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for treatment of spinal cord injury by reducing glial scar and cavity formation

Neural Regeneration Research, 2015 · DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.150715 · Published: January 1, 2015

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine

Simple Explanation

The study investigates the potential of combining a biodegradable chitin conduit with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) transplantation to treat spinal cord injury in rats. The researchers created a spinal cord hemisection injury model in rats and then treated them with either the chitin conduit alone, BMSC transplantation alone, or a combination of both. The study found that the combined treatment reduced glial scar formation, promoted nerve fiber regeneration, and created a favorable environment for BMSC survival and differentiation, leading to improved spinal cord restoration.

Study Duration

14 Weeks

Participants

61 healthy 3-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Biological conduit sleeve bridging reduced glial scar formation and spinal muscular atrophy after spinal cord hemisection.
2
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells survived and proliferated after transplantation in vivo, and differentiated into cells double-positive for S100 (Schwann cell marker) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (glial cell marker) at 8 weeks.
3
Retrograde tracing showed that more nerve fibers had grown through the injured spinal cord at 14 weeks after combination therapy than either treatment alone.

Research Summary

This study examined the restorative effect of modified biodegradable chitin conduits in combination with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation after spinal cord hemisection injury. The findings indicate that a biological conduit combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation effectively prevented scar formation and provided a favorable local microenvironment for the proliferation, migration and differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in the spinal cord. This promotes restoration following spinal cord hemisection injury.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

The combination of biodegradable chitin conduits and BMSC transplantation could be a promising therapeutic strategy for spinal cord injury.

Microenvironment Improvement

The study highlights the importance of creating a favorable local microenvironment for cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation in spinal cord injury treatment.

Scar Reduction Strategies

The findings suggest that reducing glial scar formation is crucial for promoting nerve regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord injury.

Study Limitations

1
The study was performed on a rat model, and the results may not be directly applicable to humans.
2
The long-term effects of the treatment were not evaluated.
3
The exact mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of the combined treatment remain unclear.

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