Bone marrow stromal cells can achieve cure of chronic paraplegic rats: functional and morphological outcome one year after transplantation.
Chronic paraplegia resulting from severe spinal cord injury (SCI) is considered to be an irreversible condition. Nevertheless, recent studies utilizing adult stem cells appear to offer promise in the treatment of this and other neurological diseases. Here, we show that progressive functional motor recovery is achieved over the course of the year following the administration of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) in traumatic central spinal cord cavities of adult rats with chronic paraplegia. At this time, functional recovery is almost complete and associated with evident nervous tissue regeneration in the previously injured spinal cord.
Zurita
Mercedes
M
Neuroscience Research Unit of the Mapfre-Medicine Foundation, Neurosurgical Service, Puerta de Hierro Hospital, Autonomus University, San Martin de Porres 4, 28035 Madrid, Spain.
Vaquero
Jesús
J
D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000378:metabolism
D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D001616:beta-Galactosidase