In the previous study, we demonstrated that adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have
neuroprotective effects against ischemic damage in the ventral horn of L5-6 levels at 3 days after
ischemia/reperfusion. In the present study, we expanded our observations for 3 weeks after
ischemia/reperfusion to rule out the possibility of delayed neuronal death in several days after
ischemia/reperfusion. Transient
spinal cord ischemia was induced by a 15 min aortic artery occlusion in the subrenal region and rabbit ASCs were administered intrathecally into recipient rabbits (2 × 10(5)) immediately after reperfusion.
Transplantation of ASCs improved the neurological motor functions of the hindlimb 3 weeks after
ischemia/reperfusion. Similarly, the
cresyl violet-positive neurons were significantly increased at 3 weeks after
ischemia/reperfusion compared to that in the vehicle (artificial cerebrospinal fluid)-treated group. The
transplantation of ASCs significantly reduced reactive microglia induced by
ischemia at 3 weeks after
ischemia/reperfusion. In addition,
transplantation of ASCs maintained the
brain-derived neurotrophic factor (
BDNF) levels 3 weeks after
ischemia/reperfusion. These results suggest that the
neuroprotective effects of ASCs are maintained 3 weeks after
ischemia/reperfusion by modulating microgliosis and
BDNF levels in the spinal cord.