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Kuan YC, Lin SZ, Chiu TL, Hung HY. Improved neurological function in a patient with complete spinal cord injury through bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells implantation: a case report. Regen Med 2023; 18:907-911. [PMID: 37990874 DOI: 10.2217/rme-2023-0120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Spinal cord injury (SCI) can cause severe disability. Several clinical trials of stem-cell based therapies are ongoing. We describe our experience of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) therapy in a patient with complete SCI in the chronic stage. Case report: A 25-year-old man with complete SCI at T6 level presented with paraplegia for 5 years. We transplanted autologous BMSCs intramedullary. After 12 months follow-up, his Barthel index score was noticeably improved from severe to moderate dependency, and the sensation level improved from T7 to S5, but no improvement of motor function. Conclusion: Autologous BMSCs are potentially safe for patients with complete SCI in the chronic stage and may improve neurological function and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Chuan Kuan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, 970, Taiwan
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, 970, Taiwan
| | - Shinn-Zong Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, 970, Taiwan
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, 970, Taiwan
- Bioinnovation Center, Tzu Chi Foundation, Hualien, 970, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Lang Chiu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, 970, Taiwan
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, 970, Taiwan
| | - Hsiang-Yi Hung
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Hualien, 970, Taiwan
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, 970, Taiwan
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2
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Chiha W, Bartlett CA, Petratos S, Fitzgerald M, Harvey AR. Intravitreal application of AAV-BDNF or mutant AAV-CRMP2 protects retinal ganglion cells and stabilizes axons and myelin after partial optic nerve injury. Exp Neurol 2020; 326:113167. [PMID: 31904385 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2019.113167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Secondary degeneration following an initial injury to the central nervous system (CNS) results in increased tissue loss and is associated with increasing functional impairment. Unilateral partial dorsal transection of the adult rat optic nerve (ON) has proved to be a useful experimental model in which to study factors that contribute to secondary degenerative events. Using this injury model, we here quantified the protective effects of intravitreally administered bi-cistronic adeno-associated viral (AAV2) vectors encoding either brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or a mutant, phospho-resistant, version of collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2T555A) on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), their axons, and associated myelin. To test for potential synergistic interactions, some animals received combined injections of both vectors. Three months post-injury, all treatments maintained RGC numbers in central retina, but only AAV2-BDNF significantly protected ventrally located RGCs exclusively vulnerable to secondary degeneration. Behaviourally, treatments that involved AAV2-BDNF significantly restored the number of smooth-pursuit phases of optokinetic nystagmus. While all therapeutic regimens preserved axonal density and proportions of typical complexes, including heminodes and single nodes, BDNF treatments were generally more effective in maintaining the length of the node of Ranvier in myelin surrounding ventral ON axons after injury. Both AAV2-BDNF and AAV2-CRMP2T555A prevented injury-induced changes in G-ratio and overall myelin thickness, but only AAV2-BDNF administration protected against large-scale myelin decompaction in ventral ON. In summary, in a model of secondary CNS degeneration, both BDNF and CRMP2T555A vectors were neuroprotective, however different efficacies were observed for these overexpressed proteins in the retina and ON, suggesting disparate cellular and molecular targets driving responses for neural repair. The potential use of these vectors to treat other CNS injuries and pathologies is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wissam Chiha
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, WA 6009, Australia; Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Belmont, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Carole A Bartlett
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Steven Petratos
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Melinda Fitzgerald
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Belmont, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Alan R Harvey
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, WA 6009, Australia; Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.
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3
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Wolpaw JR. The negotiated equilibrium model of spinal cord function. J Physiol 2018; 596:3469-3491. [PMID: 29663410 PMCID: PMC6092289 DOI: 10.1113/jp275532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The belief that the spinal cord is hardwired is no longer tenable. Like the rest of the CNS, the spinal cord changes during growth and ageing, when new motor behaviours are acquired, and in response to trauma and disease. This paper describes a new model of spinal cord function that reconciles its recently appreciated plasticity with its long-recognized reliability as the final common pathway for behaviour. According to this model, the substrate of each motor behaviour comprises brain and spinal plasticity: the plasticity in the brain induces and maintains the plasticity in the spinal cord. Each time a behaviour occurs, the spinal cord provides the brain with performance information that guides changes in the substrate of the behaviour. All the behaviours in the repertoire undergo this process concurrently; each repeatedly induces plasticity to preserve its key features despite the plasticity induced by other behaviours. The aggregate process is a negotiation among the behaviours: they negotiate the properties of the spinal neurons and synapses that they all use. The ongoing negotiation maintains the spinal cord in an equilibrium - a negotiated equilibrium - that serves all the behaviours. This new model of spinal cord function is supported by laboratory and clinical data, makes predictions borne out by experiment, and underlies a new approach to restoring function to people with neuromuscular disorders. Further studies are needed to test its generality, to determine whether it may apply to other CNS areas such as the cerebral cortex, and to develop its therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan R. Wolpaw
- National Center for Adaptive Neurotechnologies, Wadsworth CenterNYS Department of HealthAlbanyNYUSA
- Department of NeurologyStratton VA Medical CenterAlbanyNYUSA
- Department of Biomedical SciencesSchool of Public HealthSUNY AlbanyNYUSA
- Department of Neurology, Neurological InstituteColumbia UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
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4
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Fan X, Wang JZ, Lin XM, Zhang L. Stem cell transplantation for spinal cord injury: a meta-analysis of treatment effectiveness and safety. Neural Regen Res 2017; 12:815-825. [PMID: 28616040 PMCID: PMC5461621 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.206653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of stem cell transplantation for spinal cord injury (SCI). DATA SOURCES PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal, Wanfang, and SinoMed databases were systematically searched by computer to select clinical randomized controlled trials using stem cell transplantation to treat SCI, published between each database initiation and July 2016. DATA SELECTION Randomized controlled trials comparing stem cell transplantation with rehabilitation treatment for patients with SCI. Inclusion criteria: (1) Patients with SCI diagnosed according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) International standards for neurological classification of SCI; (2) patients with SCI who received only stem cell transplantation therapy or stem cell transplantation combined with rehabilitation therapy; (3) one or more of the following outcomes reported: outcomes concerning neurological function including sensory function and locomotor function, activities of daily living, urination functions, and severity of SCI or adverse effects. Studies comprising patients with complications, without full-text, and preclinical animal models were excluded. Quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool and RevMan V5.3 software, provided by the Cochrane Collaboration, was used to perform statistical analysis. OUTCOME MEASURES ASIA motor score, ASIA light touch score, ASIA pinprick score, ASIA impairment scale grading improvement rate, activities of daily living score, residual urine volume, and adverse events. RESULTS Ten studies comprising 377 patients were included in the analysis and the overall risk of bias was relatively low level. Four studies did not detail how random sequences were generated, two studies did not clearly state the blinding outcome assessment, two studies lacked blinding outcome assessment, one study lacked follow-up information, and four studies carried out selective reporting. Compared with rehabilitation therapy, stem cell transplantation significantly increased the lower limb light touch score (odds ratio (OR) = 3.43, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01 - 6.86, P = 0.05), lower limb pinprick score (OR = 3.93, 95%CI: 0.74 - 7.12, P = 0.02), ASI grading rate (relative risk (RR) = 2.95, 95%CI: 1.64 - 5.29, P = 0.0003), and notably reduced residual urine volume (OR = -8.10, 95%CI: -15.09 to -1.10, P = 0.02). However, stem cell transplantation did not significantly improve motor score (OR = 1.89, 95%CI: -0.25 to 4.03, P = 0.08) or activities of daily living score (OR = 1.12, 95%CI: -1.17 to 4.04, P = 0.45). Furthermore, stem cell transplantation caused a high rate of mild adverse effects (RR = 14.49, 95%CI: 5.34 - 34.08, P < 0.00001); however, these were alleviated in a short time. CONCLUSION Stem cell transplantation was determined to be an efficient and safe treatment for SCI and simultaneously improved sensory and bladder functions. Although associated minor and temporary adverse effects were observed with transplanted stem cells, spinal cord repair and axon remyelination were apparent. More randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up times are needed to further validate the effectiveness of stem cell transplantation in the treatment of SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Fan
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Jin-zhao Wang
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Xiao-min Lin
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
- Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China
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5
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Ding YM, Li YY, Wang C, Huang H, Zheng CC, Huang SH, Xuan Y, Sun XY, Zhang X. Nischarin-siRNA delivered by polyethylenimine-alginate nanoparticles accelerates motor function recovery after spinal cord injury. Neural Regen Res 2017; 12:1687-1694. [PMID: 29171434 PMCID: PMC5696850 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.217348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
A previous study by our group found that inhibition of nischarin promotes neurite outgrowth and neuronal regeneration in Neuro-2a cells and primary cortical neurons. In recent years, more and more studies have shown that nanomaterials have good prospects in treatment of spinal cord injury. We proposed that small interfering RNA targeting nischarin (Nis-siRNA) delivered by polyethyleneimine-alginate (PEI-ALG) nanoparticles promoted motor function recovery in rats with spinal cord injury. Direct microinjection of 5 μL PEI-ALG/Nis-siRNA into the spinal cord lesion area of spinal cord injury rats was performed. From day 7 after surgery, Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan score was significantly higher in rats from the PEI-ALG/Nis-siRNA group compared with the spinal cord injury group and PEI-ALG/Control-siRNA group. On day 21 after injection, hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that the necrotic area was reduced in the PEI-ALG/Nis-siRNA group. Immunohistochemistry and western blot assay results confirmed successful inhibition of nischarin expression and increased protein expression of growth-associated protein-43 in the PEI-ALG/Nis-siRNA group. These findings suggest that a complex of PEI-ALG nanoparticles and Nis-siRNA effectively suppresses nischarin expression, induces expression of growth-associated protein-43, and accelerates motor function recovery after spinal cord injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue-Min Ding
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yu-Ying Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Quzhou College of Technology, Quzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chu Wang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hao Huang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chen-Chen Zheng
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Shao-Han Huang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yang Xuan
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiao-Yi Sun
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiong Zhang
- Department of Basic Medicine, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
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Sharp KG, Gramer R, Page SJ, Cramer SC. Increased Brain Sensorimotor Network Activation after Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury. J Neurotrauma 2016; 34:623-631. [PMID: 27528274 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2016.4503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
After complete spinal cord injury (SCI), activation during attempted movement of paralyzed limbs is sharply reduced, but after incomplete SCI-the more common form of human injury-it is unknown how attempts to move voluntarily are accompanied by activation of brain motor and sensory networks. Here, we assessed brain activation during ankle movement in subjects with incomplete SCI, among whom voluntary motor function is partially preserved. Adults with incomplete SCI (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 15) underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging that alternated rest with 0.3-Hz right ankle dorsiflexion. In both subject groups, ankle movement was associated with bilateral activation of primary and secondary sensory and motor areas, with significantly (p < 0.001) greater activation in subjects with SCI within right hemisphere areas, including primary sensorimotor cortex and pre-motor cortex. This result was further evaluated using linear regression analysis with respect to core clinical variables. Poorer locomotor function correlated with larger activation within several right hemisphere areas, including pre- and post-central gyri, possibly reflecting increased movement complexity and effort, whereas longer time post-SCI was associated with larger activation in left post-central gyrus and bilateral supplementary motor area, which may reflect behaviorally useful adaptations. The results indicate that brain adaptations after incomplete SCI differ sharply from complete SCI, are related to functional behavioral status, and evolve with increasing time post-SCI. The results suggest measures that might be useful for understanding and treating incomplete SCI in human subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelli G Sharp
- 1 Reeve-Irvine Research Center, University of California , Irvine, Irvine, California.,2 Department of Dance, University of California , Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Robert Gramer
- 3 Departments of Neurology, Anatomy & Neurobiology, and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of California , Irvine, Irvine, California
| | - Stephen J Page
- 4 Division of Occupational Therapy, The Ohio State University Medical Center , Columbus, Ohio
| | - Steven C Cramer
- 1 Reeve-Irvine Research Center, University of California , Irvine, Irvine, California.,3 Departments of Neurology, Anatomy & Neurobiology, and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of California , Irvine, Irvine, California.,5 The Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California , Irvine, Irvine, California
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7
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Karabey-Akyurek Y, Gurcay AG, Gurcan O, Turkoglu OF, Yabanoglu-Ciftci S, Eroglu H, Sargon MF, Bilensoy E, Oner L. Localized delivery of methylprednisolone sodium succinate with polymeric nanoparticles in experimental injured spinal cord model. Pharm Dev Technol 2016; 22:972-981. [PMID: 26895158 DOI: 10.3109/10837450.2016.1143002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
With important social and economic consequences, spinal cord injuries (SCIs) still exist among major health problems. Although many therapeutic agents and methods investigated for the treatment of acute SCI, only high dose methylprednisolone (MP) is being used currently in practice. Due to the serious side effects, high dose systemic MP administration after SCI is a critical issue that is mostly considered controversial. In our study, it is aimed to develop a nanoparticle-gel combined drug delivery system for localization of MP on trauma site and eliminating dose-dependent side effects by lowering the administered dose. For this purpose, methyl prednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) loaded polycaprolactone based nanoparticles were developed and embedded in an implantable fibrin gel. The effects of MPSS delivery system are evaluated on an acute SCI rat model, by quantification the levels of three inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and caspase-3) and assessment of the damage on ultrastructural level by transmission electron microscopy. Developed NP-gel system showed very similar results with systemic high dose of MPSS. It is believed that developed system may be used as a tool for the safe and effective localized delivery of several other therapeutic molecules on injured spinal cord cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasemin Karabey-Akyurek
- a Department of Pharmaceutical Technology , Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University , Ankara , Turkey
| | - Ahmet Gurhan Gurcay
- b Department of Neurosurgery , Ankara Ataturk Research & Education Hospital , Ankara , Turkey
| | - Oktay Gurcan
- b Department of Neurosurgery , Ankara Ataturk Research & Education Hospital , Ankara , Turkey
| | - Omer Faruk Turkoglu
- b Department of Neurosurgery , Ankara Ataturk Research & Education Hospital , Ankara , Turkey
| | - Samiye Yabanoglu-Ciftci
- c Department of Biochemistry , Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University , Ankara , Turkey , and
| | - Hakan Eroglu
- a Department of Pharmaceutical Technology , Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University , Ankara , Turkey
| | - Mustafa Fevzi Sargon
- d Department of Anatomy , Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University , Ankara , Turkey
| | - Erem Bilensoy
- a Department of Pharmaceutical Technology , Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University , Ankara , Turkey
| | - Levent Oner
- a Department of Pharmaceutical Technology , Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe University , Ankara , Turkey
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Tomov ML, Olmsted ZT, Paluh JL. The Human Embryoid Body Cystic Core Exhibits Architectural Complexity Revealed by use of High Throughput Polymer Microarrays. Macromol Biosci 2015; 15:892-900. [PMID: 25810210 DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201500051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2015] [Revised: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In pluripotent stem cell differentiation, embryoid bodies (EBs) provide a three-dimensional [3D] multicellular precursor in lineage specification. The internal structure of EBs is not well characterized yet is predicted to be an important parameter to differentiation. Here, we use custom SU-8 molds to generate transparent lithography-templated arrays of polydimethylsiloxane (LTA-PDMS) for high throughput analysis of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) EB formation and internal architecture. EBs formed in 200 and 500 μm diameter microarray wells by use of single cells, 2D clusters, or 3D early aggregates were compared. We observe that 200 μm EBs are monocystic versus 500 μm multicystic EBs that contain macro, meso and microsized cysts. In adherent differentiation of 500 μm EBs, the multicystic character impairs the 3D to 2D transition creating non-uniform monolayers. Our findings reveal that EB core structure has a size-dependent character that influences its architecture and cell population uniformity during early differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin L Tomov
- SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Nanobioscience, Nanofab East, 257 Fuller Road, Albany, New York, 12203, USA
| | - Zachary T Olmsted
- SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Nanobioscience, Nanofab East, 257 Fuller Road, Albany, New York, 12203, USA
| | - Janet L Paluh
- SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Nanobioscience, Nanofab East, 257 Fuller Road, Albany, New York, 12203, USA. ,
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Zhang Q, Shao Y, Zhao C, Cai J, Sun S. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist MK-801 prevents apoptosis in rats that have undergone fetal spinal cord transplantation following spinal hemisection. Exp Ther Med 2014; 8:1731-1736. [PMID: 25371724 PMCID: PMC4218703 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2014.2029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury is the main cause of paraplegia, but effective therapies for it are lacking. Embryonic spinal cord transplantation is able to repair spinal cord injury, albeit with a large amount of neuronal apoptosis remaining in the spinal cord. MK-801, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, is able to reduce cell death by decreasing the concentration of excitatory amino acids and preventing extracellular calcium ion influx. In this study, the effect of MK-801 on the apoptosis of spinal cord neurons in rats that have received a fetal spinal cord (FSC) transplant following spinal hemisection was investigated. Wistar rats were divided into three groups: Spinal cord hemisection injury with a combination of FSC transplantation and MK-801 treatment (group A); spinal cord hemisection injury with FSC transplantation (group B); and spinal cord injury with insertion of a Gelfoam pledget (group C). The rats were sacrificed 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after the surgery. Apoptosis in spinal slices from the injured spinal cord was examined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling reaction, and the expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) was measured by immunohistochemistry. The positive cells were quantitatively analyzed using a computer image analysis system. The rate of apoptosis and the positive expression of Bcl-2 protein in the spinal cord neurons in the three groups decreased in the following order: C>B>A (P<0.05) and A>B>C (P<0.05), respectively. This indicates that treatment with the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 prevents apoptosis in the spinal cord neurons of rats that have undergone FSC transplantation following spinal hemisection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, P.R. China
| | - Yang Shao
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210011, P.R. China
| | - Changsong Zhao
- Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, P.R. China
| | - Juan Cai
- Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, P.R. China
| | - Sheng Sun
- Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, P.R. China
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10
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Estrada V, Müller HW. Spinal cord injury - there is not just one way of treating it. F1000PRIME REPORTS 2014; 6:84. [PMID: 25343041 PMCID: PMC4166939 DOI: 10.12703/p6-84] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In the last century, research in the field of spinal cord trauma has brought insightful knowledge which has led to a detailed understanding of mechanisms that are involved in injury- and recovery-related processes. The quest for a cure for the yet generally incurable condition as well as the exponential rise in gained information has brought about the development of numerous treatment approaches while at the same time the abundance of data has become quite unmanageable. Owing to an enormous amount of preclinical therapeutic approaches, this report highlights important trends rather than specific treatment strategies. We focus on current advances in the treatment of spinal cord injury and want to further draw attention to arising problems in spinal cord injury (SCI) research and discuss possible solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Estrada
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Heinrich-Heine-University Medical Center Düsseldorf Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf Germany
| | - Hans Werner Müller
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Heinrich-Heine-University Medical Center Düsseldorf Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Düsseldorf Germany
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11
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Chen Y, Chen L, Wang Y, Wolpaw JR, Chen XY. Persistent beneficial impact of H-reflex conditioning in spinal cord-injured rats. J Neurophysiol 2014; 112:2374-81. [PMID: 25143542 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00422.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Operant conditioning of a spinal cord reflex can improve locomotion in rats and humans with incomplete spinal cord injury. This study examined the persistence of its beneficial effects. In rats in which a right lateral column contusion injury had produced asymmetric locomotion, up-conditioning of the right soleus H-reflex eliminated the asymmetry while down-conditioning had no effect. After the 50-day conditioning period ended, the H-reflex was monitored for 100 [±9 (SD)] (range 79-108) more days and locomotion was then reevaluated. After conditioning ended in up-conditioned rats, the H-reflex continued to increase, and locomotion continued to improve. In down-conditioned rats, the H-reflex decrease gradually disappeared after conditioning ended, and locomotion at the end of data collection remained as impaired as it had been before and immediately after down-conditioning. The persistence (and further progression) of H-reflex increase but not H-reflex decrease in these spinal cord-injured rats is consistent with the fact that up-conditioning improved their locomotion while down-conditioning did not. That is, even after up-conditioning ended, the up-conditioned H-reflex pathway remained adaptive because it improved locomotion. The persistence and further enhancement of the locomotor improvement indicates that spinal reflex conditioning protocols might supplement current therapies and enhance neurorehabilitation. They may be especially useful when significant spinal cord regeneration becomes possible and precise methods for retraining the regenerated spinal cord are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Chen
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York
| | - Lu Chen
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York
| | - Yu Wang
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York
| | - Jonathan R Wolpaw
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York; Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, Albany, New York; and Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Xiang Yang Chen
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York; Department of Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, Albany, New York; and
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12
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Neuroprotective effects of different modalities of acupuncture on traumatic spinal cord injury in rats. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2014; 2014:431580. [PMID: 24803946 PMCID: PMC3996864 DOI: 10.1155/2014/431580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2013] [Revised: 01/29/2014] [Accepted: 02/16/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) can induce a series of histological, biochemical, and functional changes. Acupuncture is commonly used for SCI patients. Using male rats of spinal cord injury with the New York University (NYU) Impactor, we investigated the response of electroacupuncture (EA), manual acupuncture (MA), and transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TAES) at Shuigou (DU26) and Fengfu (DU16) acupoints to understand the effects and mechanisms of acupuncture in neuroprotection and neuronal function recovery after SCI. Histological study showed a restored neural morphology and an increase in the quantity of neurons after EA, MA, and TAES administrations. Acupuncture's antioxidation effects were demonstrated by alleviation of the post-SCI superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increase and malondialdehyde (MDA) level decrease. The anti-inflammation effect of acupuncture was shown as the reduced expression of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-1 β (IL-1 β ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α ) when SCI was treated. And the antiapoptosis role was approved by TUNEL staining. Our data confirmed that the role of acupuncture in neuroprotection and dorsal neuronal function recovery after rat SCI, especially, EA stimulating at Shuigou (DU26) and Fengfu (DU16) can greatly promote neuronal function recovery, which may result from antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and antiapoptosis effects of acupuncture.
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Scivoletto G, Tamburella F, Laurenza L, Torre M, Molinari M. Who is going to walk? A review of the factors influencing walking recovery after spinal cord injury. Front Hum Neurosci 2014; 8:141. [PMID: 24659962 PMCID: PMC3952432 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2013] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The recovery of walking function is considered of extreme relevance both by patients and physicians. Consequently, in the recent years, recovery of locomotion become a major objective of new pharmacological and rehabilitative interventions. In the last decade, several pharmacological treatment and rehabilitative approaches have been initiated to enhance locomotion capacity of SCI patients. Basic science advances in regeneration of the central nervous system hold promise of further neurological and functional recovery to be studied in clinical trials. Therefore, a precise knowledge of the natural course of walking recovery after SCI and of the factors affecting the prognosis for recovery has become mandatory. In the present work we reviewed the prognostic factors for walking recovery, with particular attention paid to the clinical ones (neurological examination at admission, age, etiology gender, time course of recovery). The prognostic value of some instrumental examinations has also been reviewed. Based on these factors we suggest that a reliable prognosis for walking recovery is possible. Instrumental examinations, in particular evoked potentials could be useful to improve the prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Scivoletto
- Spinal Cord Unit, IRCCS Fondazione S. Lucia Rome, Italy ; Clinical and Research Movement Analysis Lab, Fondazione S. Lucia Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Tamburella
- Spinal Cord Unit, IRCCS Fondazione S. Lucia Rome, Italy ; Clinical and Research Movement Analysis Lab, Fondazione S. Lucia Rome, Italy
| | | | - Monica Torre
- Spinal Cord Unit, IRCCS Fondazione S. Lucia Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Molinari
- Spinal Cord Unit, IRCCS Fondazione S. Lucia Rome, Italy ; Clinical and Research Movement Analysis Lab, Fondazione S. Lucia Rome, Italy
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Chen Y, Chen L, Liu R, Wang Y, Chen XY, Wolpaw JR. Locomotor impact of beneficial or nonbeneficial H-reflex conditioning after spinal cord injury. J Neurophysiol 2013; 111:1249-58. [PMID: 24371288 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00756.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
When new motor learning changes neurons and synapses in the spinal cord, it may affect previously learned behaviors that depend on the same spinal neurons and synapses. To explore these effects, we used operant conditioning to strengthen or weaken the right soleus H-reflex pathway in rats in which a right spinal cord contusion had impaired locomotion. When up-conditioning increased the H-reflex, locomotion improved. Steps became longer, and step-cycle asymmetry (i.e., limping) disappeared. In contrast, when down-conditioning decreased the H-reflex, locomotion did not worsen. Steps did not become shorter, and asymmetry did not increase. Electromyographic and kinematic analyses explained how H-reflex increase improved locomotion and why H-reflex decrease did not further impair it. Although the impact of up-conditioning or down-conditioning on the H-reflex pathway was still present during locomotion, only up-conditioning affected the soleus locomotor burst. Additionally, compensatory plasticity apparently prevented the weaker H-reflex pathway caused by down-conditioning from weakening the locomotor burst and further impairing locomotion. The results support the hypothesis that the state of the spinal cord is a "negotiated equilibrium" that serves all the behaviors that depend on it. When new learning changes the spinal cord, old behaviors undergo concurrent relearning that preserves or improves their key features. Thus, if an old behavior has been impaired by trauma or disease, spinal reflex conditioning, by changing a specific pathway and triggering a new negotiation, may enable recovery beyond that achieved simply by practicing the old behavior. Spinal reflex conditioning protocols might complement other neurorehabilitation methods and enhance recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Chen
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York
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