Early-phase rotator training impairs tissue repair and functional recovery after spinal cord injury

Heliyon, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18158 · Published: July 12, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the effects of rotarod training, initiated shortly after spinal cord injury (SCI) in mice, on motor function recovery and spinal cord repair mechanisms. The research assessed functional and histopathological changes, trophic factor and cytokine behaviors, and gene expression profiles to understand rotarod training's impact. The findings suggest that initiating rotarod training early after SCI is unsuitable for promoting neuro-electrophysiological improvement and trunk stability, and it may impair functional coordination and motor recovery.

Study Duration

4 weeks

Participants

120 mice

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Rotarod training initiated at 7 days post-injury impairs functional coordination and motor recovery after SCI.
2
Rotarod training has negative effects on spinal cord repair, increasing lesion area, decreasing neuronal viability, and worsening the immuno-microenvironment and remyelination.
3
RNA sequencing suggests that genes associated with angiogenesis and synaptogenesis were significantly downregulated, and the PI3K-AKT pathway was inhibited.

Research Summary

This study evaluated the impact of early-phase rotarod training on spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery in mice, examining functional, histopathological, and molecular changes. The research found that rotarod training initiated shortly after SCI did not improve and, in some cases, worsened functional recovery and spinal cord repair. The findings suggest that early rotarod training may hinder neuroprotection by inhibiting trophic factors and promoting inflammatory factors, potentially through the downregulation of genes related to angiogenesis, synaptogenesis, and the PI3K-AKT pathway.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Timing

The timing of rehabilitation interventions after SCI is crucial. Early, intense rotarod training may be detrimental.

Therapeutic Targets

Focusing on promoting angiogenesis, synaptogenesis, and activating the PI3K-AKT pathway could improve SCI recovery.

Alternative Rehabilitation

Alternative rehabilitation strategies should be considered to avoid impairing tissue repair and functional recovery after SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The training protocol was referred from studies on brain injuries or stroke.
2
Lack of comparison with other classical regimens like treadmill training.
3
Substantial spontaneous recovery of the untrained mice might obscure the authentic effects of rotarod training

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