Fetal allogeneic umbilical cord cell transplantation improves motor function in spinal cord-injured rats.

Abstract

AIM:

The objective of this study was to investigate whether the transplantation of fetal umbilical cord tissue cells as a source of stem cells into the acutely injured spinal cord would produce some regenerations and/or functional recovery in a rat model of spinal cord injury.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Five pregnant albino Wistar rats of 12 days gestation were used for obtaining an umbilical cord cell graft. At the second stage of the experiment only Th8-Th9 laminectomy was performed in Group A animals while Group B animals underwent spinal cord hemitransection. The cultured fetal umbilical cord cells coated with Alginate Gel were placed into the lesion cavity immediately after surgery in Group C animals. Group D animals received only Alginate gel sponges into the injured area. All experiment groups were analyzed histologically and immunohistochemically (GFAP, Ki-67, and Pan cadherin) and for motor function after surgery.

RESULTS:

The umbilical cord cell transplanted animals showed a significant motor recovery compared to non-transplanted animals at 8 and 21 days after spinal cord injury (p=0.008). Significant GFAP and Ki-67 expressions were noted in transplanted animals (p=0.048) suggesting astroglial proliferation.

CONCLUSION:

Our findings support the possibility of some functional recovery after umbilical cord cell transplantation following spinal cord injury.

• Authors: Bulent Erdogan, Murad Bavbek, Iffet Feride Sahin, Hakan Caner, Ozlem Ozen, Emir Baki Denkbas, Mehmet Nur Altinors
• Journal: Turkish neurosurgery (Turk Neurosurg) Vol. 20 Issue 3 Pg. 286-94 (Jul 2010) ISSN: 1019-5149 [Print] Turkey
• PMID: 20669100 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Trypsin

Topics

• Animals
• Cell Division
• Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation (methods, veterinary)
• Female
• Hindlimb (physiology)
• Motor Activity (physiology)
• Muscle, Skeletal (physiology)
• Pregnancy
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Spinal Cord Injuries (pathology, physiopathology, surgery)
• Transplantation, Homologous (methods, veterinary)
• Trypsin
• Umbilical Cord (cytology)
• Walking (physiology)