title: Perilesional intrathecal administration of autologous bone marrow stromal cells achieves functional improvement in pigs with chronic paraplegia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  At present, on the basis of the great number of preclinical studies and preliminary clinical trials in humans, bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) transplantation offers promise in the treatment of paraplegia. Nevertheless, there is not enough experience in humans about the best candidates for this type of cell therapy or details about the best parameters or best route of administration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two adult paraplegic pigs with chronic paraplegia were treated only with perilesional intrathecal administration of 40 × 10(6) autologous BMSC suspended in autologous plasma and followed for 1 year after cell transplantation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our study showed clinical improvement, starting at 2 mo after BMSC administration and reaching stabilization at 10 mo. This was associated with recovery of previously abolished somatosensory-evoked potentials. At the end of the study, histological images suggested spinal cord regeneration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our present findings suggest the possible utility of perilesional intrathecal administration of autologous BMSC in patients with chronic paraplegia.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Unit, Neurosurgical Department, Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda Hospital, Joaquín Rodrigo, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain. zuritac@telefonica.net
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zurita
authors.forename: Concepcion
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aguayo
authors.forename: Celia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bonilla
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Jesus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vaquero
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology*; D058630:Spinal Cord Regeneration; D013552:Swine; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
keywords: bone marrow stromal cells; nervous system transplantation; paraplegia; spinal cord repair