Electro-acupuncture promotes survival, differentiation of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells as well as functional recovery in the spinal cord-transected rats

BMC Neuroscience, 2009 · DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-10-35 · Published: April 20, 2009

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Neurology

Simple Explanation

This study investigates whether electro-acupuncture (EA) can improve the effectiveness of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation for spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery in rats. The researchers examined if EA could promote MSC survival and differentiation, axonal regeneration, and functional recovery in rats with completely severed spinal cords. The rats were divided into five groups: a sham-operated control group, an operated control group, an EA treatment group, an MSCs transplantation group, and a combined MSCs transplantation with EA treatment group. The researchers then evaluated several factors, including levels of neurotrophic factors, cell differentiation, nerve fiber growth, and functional recovery using behavioral tests and evoked potentials. The results showed that the combined treatment significantly improved MSC survival and differentiation, increased nerve fiber regeneration, and enhanced functional recovery compared to the individual treatments. This suggests that EA may enhance the therapeutic effects of MSC transplantation for SCI.

Study Duration

8 weeks

Participants

66 adult female SD rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The combination of MSC transplantation and EA treatment significantly increased cAMP and NT-3 levels in the injured spinal cord compared to MSC transplantation or EA treatment alone.
2
The number of surviving and differentiated MSCs (into neuron-like cells and oligodendrocytes) was significantly higher in the MSCs+EA group than in the MSCs group.
3
The MSCs+EA group exhibited a significant increase in 5-HT-positive and CGRP-positive nerve fibers in and near the lesion site, indicating enhanced axonal regeneration.

Research Summary

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) on the survival and differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation, axonal regeneration, and functional recovery in rats with transected spinal cords. The key finding was that the combination of MSC transplantation and EA treatment led to significantly increased levels of cAMP and NT-3, improved MSC survival and differentiation, enhanced axonal regeneration, and improved functional recovery compared to either treatment alone. The study concludes that the combination of MSC transplantation and EA treatment shows promising therapeutic potential for treating spinal cord injury patients, with increased NT-3 and cAMP levels potentially mediating the observed morphological and functional improvements.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential for SCI

The combination of MSC transplantation with EA treatment could be a new therapeutic strategy for spinal cord injury patients.

Enhanced Axonal Regeneration

EA treatment may improve axonal regeneration by creating a more favorable environment at the lesion site.

Improved Functional Outcomes

Combining MSC transplantation with EA treatment may lead to better functional outcomes in SCI recovery.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on rats, and the results may not be directly applicable to humans.
2
The mechanisms by which EA promotes MSC survival and differentiation are not fully understood.
3
The study did not completely rule out the possibility of cell fusion as a mechanism of MSC differentiation.

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