Study of the Diffusion Tensor Imaging for Preclinical Therapeutic Efficacy of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation in the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury

This study explores the use of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (UC-MSC) transplantation to treat spinal cord injury (SCI). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to monitor microstructural changes in the spinal cord before and after transplantation. Patients received either UC-MSC transplantation combined with comprehensive rehabilitation or comprehensive rehabilitation alone. The study evaluated sensory and motor scores, SCI severity, spasticity, and urine/defecation functions using DTI before and after treatment. The study found significant differences in DTI measurements (FA and ADC values) before and after treatment in the experimental group, suggesting that UC-MSC transplantation combined with rehabilitation may promote structural repair of spinal nerves.

• 1
  Significant differences were observed in fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values before and after treatment in the experimental group (P < 0.05).
• 2
  The differences in ADC and FA values at the lesion layer before and after transplantation were greater than those of the normal layer, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05).
• 3
  In the experimental group, some patients with incomplete SCI showed improvements in light touch, acupuncture sensation, motor score, spasticity, and urine/defecation functions.