Hydrogen Promotes the Effectiveness of Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation in Rats with Spinal Cord Injury

Stem Cells International, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/8227382 · Published: May 4, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Pharmacology Regenerative Medicine

Simple Explanation

Bone mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) transplantation has been applied to treat spinal cord injury (SCI), but its effect is limited by the SCI area's inflammation and oxidative stress, reducing transplanted cell survival. This study investigates whether hydrogen enhances BMSC transplantation's therapeutic effect on SCI in rats. In vitro, BMSCs were cultured in normal and hydrogen-rich mediums to assess hydrogen's impact on BMSC proliferation and migration. The effects of hydrogen on BMSC apoptosis were studied using a serum-deprived medium (SDM). In vivo, BMSCs were injected into rat SCI models, with hydrogen-rich saline or saline administered daily. Neurological function was evaluated using BBB and CatWalk gait analyses. Histopathological analysis, oxidative stress, inflammatory factors, and cell viability were assessed post-SCI.

Study Duration

28 days

Participants

60 SD female rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Hydrogen significantly enhances BMSC proliferation, migration, and tolerance to serum deprivation in vitro.
2
Co-delivery of hydrogen and BMSCs significantly enhances neurological function recovery by improving transplant cell survival and migration in vivo.
3
Hydrogen enhances BMSC migration and proliferation, aiding SCI repair by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress at the injury site.

Research Summary

This study investigates whether hydrogen can promote BMSC transplantation in treating SCI in rats, addressing the challenge of low cell survival rates in the inflammatory and oxidative stress-ridden SCI microenvironment. The findings demonstrate that hydrogen enhances BMSC proliferation, migration, and survival in vitro, while in vivo, co-delivery of hydrogen with BMSCs improves neurological function recovery by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. The study concludes that hydrogen combined with BMSC transplantation is a simple and effective method to improve BMSC transplantation's therapeutic effect on SCI, offering a promising approach for SCI treatment.

Practical Implications

Improved SCI Treatment

Combining hydrogen with BMSC transplantation offers a more effective approach to treating SCI by enhancing cell survival and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.

Enhanced Cell Therapy Strategies

The study suggests that hydrogen can be used to improve the efficacy of stem cell transplantation by promoting cell proliferation and migration to the injured site.

Clinical Applications

The findings support the potential clinical application of hydrogen and BMSC co-delivery as a therapeutic strategy for spinal cord injury, with the possibility of improved patient outcomes.

Study Limitations

1
The specific molecular mechanisms involved in hydrogen's therapeutic effect on SCI are unclear and require further basic research.
2
The study was conducted on rats, and further studies are needed to confirm the therapeutic effect of H2-BMSC in humans.
3
Whether hydrogen promotes the effectiveness of BMSC transplantation in rats with SCI in a dose-dependent manner needs to be further explored.

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