Veterinary and Animal Science, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vas.2023.100318 · Published: October 30, 2023
This case report explores using stem cells from amniotic fluid to treat spinal cord injuries in dogs. Spinal cord injuries, like in humans, often result from trauma and can severely impact movement and bodily functions. A dog with a spinal cord injury received an injection of amniotic fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AF-MSCs) directly into the injured area after surgery. Over several weeks, the dog showed improvement in its ability to move its hind legs. MRI scans confirmed that the stem cell treatment helped regenerate the spinal cord tissue. Although the dog didn't fully recover, it could walk independently, suggesting that AF-MSC therapy could be a promising treatment for spinal cord injuries in dogs.
AF-MSC-based stem cell transplantation may be a beneficial therapeutic approach for spinal cord injuries in dogs.
Further studies are needed to explore the molecular pathological mechanisms of AF-MSCs for spinal regeneration and repair.
Improvements in cell therapy applicability, combined with molecular pathology and repair mechanism studies, are necessary for designing better cell therapy treatment plans for companion animals.