Survival of Neural Stem Cell Grafts in the Lesioned Spinal Cord Is Enhanced by a Combination of Treadmill Locomotor Training via Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Signaling

This study explores combining neural stem cell transplantation and treadmill training to repair spinal cord injuries in rats. The research showed that combining these methods significantly improved the rats' ability to move. The treadmill training notably increased the survival rate of the transplanted stem cells within the injured spinal cord. This suggests that physical activity can create a more supportive environment for these cells to thrive and aid in recovery. The study also found that a growth factor called IGF-1 plays a crucial role in this process. Treadmill training boosts IGF-1 levels, which in turn helps the transplanted stem cells survive and contribute to spinal cord repair.

• 1
  Combining treadmill training with neural stem cell transplantation synergistically improved locomotor function in rats with spinal cord injuries.
• 2
  Treadmill training significantly increased the survival of grafted NSCs in the injured spinal cord by approximately 3-fold and 5-fold at 3 and 9 weeks after injury, respectively.
• 3
  The enhanced survival of NSC grafts by treadmill training was largely mediated by insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).