Neural Regen Res, 2013 · DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.05.001 · Published: February 1, 2013
This study aimed to determine the best time to transplant neural progenitor cells into the spinal cord of rats after an injury, using a specific route called the subarachnoid space. The cells were transplanted at different times: shortly after the injury, a week later, and nearly a month later. The researchers found that transplanting the cells soon after the injury allowed them to move and gather around blood vessels in the injured area, and also to infiltrate the spinal cord tissue. This wasn't seen when cells were transplanted later. The rats that received the transplant soon after injury showed better recovery in their hind limb movement compared to those that received it later. This suggests that transplanting neural progenitor cells via the subarachnoid space may be most effective in the early stages of spinal cord injury.
The acute phase post-injury appears to be the most effective time for subarachnoid transplantation of neural progenitor cells for spinal cord injury.
The subarachnoid route can be a viable option for delivering neural progenitor cells to the injured spinal cord, especially in the acute phase.
Further research should focus on understanding the mechanisms by which neural progenitor cells promote repair in the acute phase, including their interaction with blood vessels and migration patterns.