Abstract
Introduction
Currently, the recovery of neurological functions after spinal cord injury (SCI) still relies on the host's neural plasticity and compensatory mechanisms. Unfortunately, many of these patients are permanently paralyzed. The objective of the study was to compare the results of treatment groups with 3 and 5 applications of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMC) in the subarachnoid space through a lumbar puncture in a rat SCI model. Subsequently, the motor function and inflammatory rate at the site of injury were analyzed.
Materials and Methods
The study design was an experimental animal study of SCI, using a stem cell (SC) delivery system. The experiment was done using an animal model of thoracic SCI with aneurysm clip compression. Afterwards, these animals were treated with 3 (BMMC3) or 5 (BMMC5) applications of BMMC directly into the subarachnoid space using a lumbar puncture. The control group received saline solution (SS) that was injected at the same time and frequency (SS3 and SS5) used for BMMC delivery. The animals were sequentially evaluated for motor function using the BBB scale for the presence of BMMC in the lesion by PCR, and the local inflammatory rate through interleukin (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), which were analyzed by immunohistochemistry.
Results
The BMMC5 group showed significant differences in motor scores over the entire study when compared with their SS5 control group. At the end of the treatment, there was a similar motor performance when both treatment groups (CMM3 vs. BMMC5) were analyzed. In both treatment groups and their control there was no difference in the inflammatory rate. The PCR could not detect the presence of BMMC at the injury site.
Conclusion
Multiple administration of BMMC in the subarachnoid space through lumbar puncture improves locomotion without showing local inflammatory modification.