The Overexpression of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 and Neurotrophin-3 Promote Functional Recovery and Alleviate Spasticity After Spinal Cord Injury

Front. Neurosci., 2022 · DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.863793 · Published: April 29, 2022

Simple Explanation

This study investigated how two nerve growth factors, NT-3 and IGF-1, affect recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. The study found that increasing the levels of NT-3 and IGF-1 helped rats recover motor function and reduced spasticity after SCI. However, the rats became more sensitive to mechanical and thermal pain. These changes might be due to increased levels of certain receptors in the spinal cord.

Study Duration

10 weeks

Participants

64 female SD rats

Evidence Level

Level III; Animal study

Key Findings

1
The overexpression of NT-3 and IGF-1 improved motor function after SCI in rats.
2
The overexpression of NT-3 and IGF-1 alleviated spasms in a rat model of SCI.
3
Rats with overexpressed NT-3 and IGF-1 were more sensitive to mechanical pain and thermal pain.

Research Summary

This study investigated the effects of overexpressing nerve growth factors NT-3 and IGF-1 on nerve function recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Results showed that overexpressing NT-3 and IGF-1 improved motor function and reduced spasms, but also increased sensitivity to mechanical and thermal pain. These changes may be linked to increased levels of KCC2, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT2C receptors in the spinal cord, providing a potential basis for new clinical treatments for SCI.

Practical Implications

Clinical Treatment of SCI

The results of this study may provide a new theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of SCI by nerve growth factor.

Nerve Growth Factor Therapy

These factors may play a guiding role in the treatment of SCI by nerve growth factor.

Spasticity and Pain Management

Understanding the role of NT-3 and IGF-1 in motor function and pain sensitivity may lead to improved management strategies for spasticity and neuropathic pain after SCI.

Study Limitations

1
Mechanical damage to the spinal cord caused by the in situ injection itself.
2
Difficulty in determining the most important repair mechanism due to the complexity of the central nervous system.
3
Other potential pathways/proteins that may contribute to the recovery of motor function, the reduction of spasticity, and the emergence of increased mechanical allodynia and thermal pain sensitivity cannot be excluded.

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