Effects of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Combined with Polymer on Functional Recovery Following Spinal Cord Hemisection in Rats

Korean J Physiol Pharmacol, 2012 · DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4196/kjpp.2012.16.6.405 · Published: December 1, 2012

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Neurology

Simple Explanation

This study explores a new approach to treating spinal cord injuries by combining human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) with a polymer scaffold. The goal is to improve nerve regeneration and functional recovery after a spinal cord hemisection, which is an injury that damages one side of the spinal cord. The research team transplanted hMSCs with a polymer into rats with spinal cord injuries and compared their recovery to a control group. They found that the rats who received the combined treatment showed significant improvements in both motor and sensory functions.

Study Duration

8 weeks

Participants

Male Sprague-Dawley rats (300∼350 g)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Functional recovery was significantly improved in the polymer with hMSC-transplanted group as compared with control at five weeks after transplantation.
2
Electrophysiologic study demonstrated that the latency of somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEPs) in the polymer with hMSC-transplanted group was significantly shorter than in the hemisection-only control group.
3
Surviving hMSCs differentiated into various cell types such as neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.

Research Summary

This study investigates the therapeutic potential of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and a polymer scaffold in promoting functional recovery after spinal cord hemisection in rats. The researchers found that transplanting hMSCs combined with the polymer significantly improved functional outcomes compared to the control group, as evidenced by behavioral, electrophysiological, and immunohistochemical analyses. The transplanted hMSCs survived, migrated to the injury site, and differentiated into various neural cell types, suggesting a potential mechanism for the observed functional improvements.

Practical Implications

Potential Therapeutic Strategy

hMSC transplantation with polymer may be a potential therapeutic strategy for SCI.

Axonal Regeneration

hMSC transplantation with polymer may play an important role in axonal regeneration after SCI.

Improved Functional Recovery

hMSC transplantation with polymer may play an important role in functional recovery after SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The hemisection model used in this study produced somewhat severe injury compared to the other models.
2
There was no significant difference between the polymer only- and polymer with hMSC-transplanted groups.
3
In the present study, we did not study the secretion produced by hMSC.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury