This study explored the effect of
brain-derived neurotrophic factor (
BDNF) gene-modified umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (UCMSC)
transplantation on neurological functional improvement in rats after
brain trauma. A rat model of
cerebral contusion in the motor-sensory cortex was established by the weight hammer-falling method. UCMSCs were cultured and transferred with
BDNF gene. After determining
BDNF expression and activity, the
BDNF gene-modified UCMSCs were implanted into brains of rats receiving the
brain injury. The neurological function was evaluated 1 and 2 weeks after
brain injury.
BDNF expression was then determined by immunohistochemistry. Severe neurological dysfunction was observed in animals subjected to
contusion brain injury (10.50 ± 0.53). A significant improvement in neurological function was found in the UCMSC
transplantation animals (7.75 ± 0.71) compared with the
brain injury only group (p < 0.01). Rats with
BDNF gene-modified UCMSCs showed the highest improvement in behavior (5.50 ± 0.76; p < 0.01).
BDNF gene-modified UCMSCs can survive and migrate in rat cerebral tissues. The
transplantation of these UCMSCs can improve the neurological functions of rats with
traumatic brain injury.