title: The use of poly(N-[2-hydroxypropyl]-methacrylamide) hydrogel to repair a T10 spinal cord hemisection in rat: a behavioural, electrophysiological and anatomical examination.
abstract: There have been considerable interests in attempting to reverse the deficit because of an SCI (spinal cord injury) by restoring neural pathways through the lesion and by rebuilding the tissue network. In order to provide an appropriate micro-environment for regrowing axotomized neurons and proliferating and migrating cells, we have implanted a small block of pHPMA [poly N-(2-hydroxypropyl)-methacrylamide] hydrogel into the hemisected T10 rat spinal cord. Locomotor activity was evaluated once a week during 14 weeks with the BBB rating scale in an open field. At the 14th week after SCI, the reflexivity of the sub-lesional region was measured. We also monitored the ventilatory frequency during an electrically induced muscle fatigue known to elicit the muscle metaboreflex and increase the respiratory rate. Spinal cords were then collected, fixed and stained with anti-ED-1 and anti-NF-H antibodies and FluoroMyelin. We show in this study that hydrogel-implanted animals exhibit: (i) an improved locomotor BBB score, (ii) an improved breathing adjustment to electrically evoked isometric contractions and (iii) an H-reflex recovery close to control animals. Qualitative histological results put in evidence higher accumulation of ED-1 positive cells (macrophages/monocytes) at the lesion border, a large number of NF-H positive axons penetrating the applied matrix, and myelin preservation both rostrally and caudally to the lesion. Our data confirm that pHPMA hydrogel is a potent biomaterial that can be used for improving neuromuscular adaptive mechanisms and H-reflex responses after SCI.
authors.affiliation: Aix-Marseille Université (AMU), UMR CNRS 7287, Institut des Sciences du Mouvement (ISM)-Etienne-Jules MAREY Equipe Plasticité des Systèmes Nerveux et Musculaire Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Faculté des Sciences du Sport de Marseille CC910-163 Avenue de Luminy F-13288, Marseille Cedex 09, France.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pertici
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Amendola
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laurin
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gigmes
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Madaschi
authors.forename: Stephana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carelli
authors.forename: Tanguy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Marqueste
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gorio
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Decherchi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D053331:Ectodysplasins / Q000378:metabolism; D005221:Fatigue / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006181:H-Reflex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008124:Locomotion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D011102:Polyhydroxyethyl Methacrylate / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D053331:Ectodysplasins; D011102:Polyhydroxyethyl Methacrylate; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate