Repair of spinal cord injury by implantation of bFGF-incorporated HEMA-MOETACL hydrogel in rats

Scientific Reports, 2015 · DOI: 10.1038/srep09017 · Published: March 12, 2015

Spinal Cord Injury Pharmacology Biomedical

Simple Explanation

This study explores a new way to treat spinal cord injuries (SCI) by combining hydrogel materials with a neurotrophic factor called bFGF. The bFGF/HEMA-MOETACL transplant was implanted into the lesion 5 days after transection surgery. Our results indicate that the bFGF/HEMA-MOETACL transplant is a promising scaffold for nerve tissue regeneration and functional recovery of essentially paralyzed hindlimbs in SCI. The researchers found that this new implant helped nerve tissue to regrow and improved how well the rats could move after a spinal cord injury.

Study Duration

8 weeks

Participants

40 Sprague–Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The bFGF/HEMA-MOETACL transplant provided a scaffold for the ingrowth of regenerating tissue eight weeks after implantation.
2
The newly designed implant promoted both nerve tissue regeneration and functional recovery following SCI.
3
HEMA-MOETACL hydrogel is a promising scaffold for intrathecal, localized and sustained delivery of bFGF to the injured spinal cord.

Research Summary

This study investigates the potential of a bFGF-incorporated HEMA-MOETACL hydrogel implant to repair spinal cord injuries (SCI) in rats. The results demonstrate that the bFGF/HEMA-MOETACL transplant promotes nerve tissue regeneration and functional recovery following SCI. The findings suggest that HEMA-MOETACL hydrogel is a promising scaffold for delivering bFGF to the injured spinal cord, potentially leading to clinical applications in SCI treatment.

Practical Implications

Localized Drug Delivery

HEMA-MOETACL hydrogel can be used as a vehicle for the localized delivery of bFGF to the injured site.

Reduced Cavitation

Implantation of bFGF/HEMA-MOETACL results in a significant reduction in cavitation after SCI.

Axon and Blood Vessel Regeneration

bFGF/HEMA-MOETACL implantation may stimulate the regeneration of axons and blood vessels in SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The injection of bFGF-alone 5 days after transection surgery may not achieve sustained delivery of bFGF to the injured spinal cord.
2
Dose-response experiments have not been performed using bFGF to investigate the dosage necessary to produce angiogenesis in spinal cord tissue
3
the optimal timing of bFGF delivery in SCI treatment remains unclear

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury