Feasibility and safety of intrathecal transplantation of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in horses

BMC Veterinary Research, 2015 · DOI: 10.1186/s12917-015-0361-5 · Published: March 7, 2015

Regenerative Medicine Neurology Veterinary Medicine

Simple Explanation

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown potential in treating injuries to tissues that struggle to regenerate, particularly those affecting the nervous system. Stem cell therapy is attractive because of MSCs' self-renewal capabilities, low immunogenicity, and beneficial effects. This study investigates the safety and feasibility of transplanting bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells into the cerebrospinal fluid of horses, which could be a route for treating neurological diseases. The study found no clinical signs of brain or spinal cord injury in horses that received the stem cell transplant, and no significant differences in hematological or cerebrospinal fluid results compared to a control group.

Study Duration

30 days

Participants

10 healthy crossbred horses

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Intrathecal transplantation of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in horses is feasible and safe.
2
No clinical or neurological alterations were observed in the treated group (TG) or control group (CG) animals during the exams conducted pre- and post-transplantation.
3
The results support the hypothesis that BM-MSC transplantation via an intrathecal pathway is feasible and safe.

Research Summary

This study evaluated the feasibility and safety of intrathecal transplantation of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in horses. The results of the study showed no clinical or neurological alterations in the treated horses, and no significant differences in hematological and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis compared to the control group. The authors conclude that intrathecal transplantation of BM-MSCs in horses is a feasible and safe delivery method for cell therapy in treating neurological disorders.

Practical Implications

Treatment of Neurological Disorders

Intrathecal transplantation of autologous BM-MSCs may be a promising pathway for cell delivery for treating neurological disorders in horses.

Future Clinical Trials

The findings support further clinical trials to explore the therapeutic potential of this transplantation method.

Less Invasive Delivery

Intrathecal injection is less invasive than intralesional injection, can extensively deliver cells through the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Study Limitations

1
The study evaluated only the feasibility and safety, not the efficacy, of the transplantation.
2
Further research is needed to determine the optimal cell dosage and long-term effects.
3
The sample size was relatively small (10 horses).

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