Xeomin®, a Commercial Formulation of Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A, Promotes Regeneration in a Preclinical Model of Spinal Cord Injury

Toxins, 2023 · DOI: 10.3390/toxins15040248 · Published: March 28, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Pharmacology Neurology

Simple Explanation

This study investigates whether Xeomin®, a commercial form of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A), can help with spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery in mice. Xeomin® is already used to treat conditions like muscle spasms. The research compares Xeomin®'s effects to those of a lab-purified version of BoNT/A, which was previously shown to have positive effects on SCI in mice. The goal is to see if Xeomin® could be a potential treatment option for SCI in humans. The findings suggest that Xeomin® does have therapeutic effects, promoting spinal cord regeneration and motor recovery, but with some differences compared to the lab-purified version. These differences may be due to how Xeomin® is formulated and how it works in the body.

Study Duration

35 days

Participants

CD1 female mice

Evidence Level

Preclinical study in mice

Key Findings

1
Xeomin® treatment resulted in significant amelioration of motor deficit in severe SCI mice starting from day 28 compared to saline-treated mice.
2
Xeomin® was able to prevent the worsening of thermal sensitivity due to the development of neuropathy induced by SCI.
3
Xeomin® treatment induced rapid and significant recovery in walking deficits, as demonstrated by the Sciatic Static Index (SSI) analysis.

Research Summary

This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of Xeomin®, a commercial formulation of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A), in a preclinical model of spinal cord injury (SCI) in mice. The results demonstrated that Xeomin® induced spinal cord regeneration and motor recovery, reducing excitotoxic phenomena, glial scar, and inflammation, but with less efficacy compared to lab-purified BoNT/A. The study concludes that Xeomin® shows promise as a potential clinical therapy for SCI, warranting further investigation into dose-response relationships and its mechanisms of action.

Practical Implications

Clinical Application Potential

Xeomin® could be a viable option for treating spinal cord injuries in humans, due to its pro-regenerative and neuroprotective effects.

Further Research

Further research is needed to determine the optimal dosage and understand the exact mechanisms by which Xeomin® promotes recovery from SCI.

Commercial Availability

Xeomin® is a commercially available compound, making it more readily accessible for potential clinical use compared to lab-purified BoNT/A.

Study Limitations

1
Xeomin® demonstrated less efficacy compared to lab-purified BoNT/A, requiring a dose adjustment.
2
The exact correspondence between doses of toxin, expressed by units of Xeomin® and pico-grams of BoNT/A, is difficult to obtain.
3
The study was conducted on mice, and further research is needed to determine the efficacy and safety of Xeomin® in humans with SCI.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury