早期运动训练联合神经干细胞移植对脊髓损伤模型大鼠后肢运动功能的影响

Early exercise training combined with neural stem cell transplantation improves hindlimb motor function after spinal cord injury in rats

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that neural stem cell transplantation combined with exercise training can promote the recovery of hindlimb motor function from spinal cord injury in rats, but its mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of early exercise training combined with neural stem cell transplantation on the recovery of hindlimb motor function in rats with spinal cord injury. METHODS: Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats with spinal cord injury were randomly divided into three groups: control group (n=20, given conventional treatment after injury), cell transplantation group (n=20, given neural stem cell transplantation after injury), experimental group, (n=20, given neural stem cell transplantation combined with early exercise training after injury). Recovery of the hindlimb motor function was assessed by Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan scale and inclined plane test before and at 1, 7, 14, 21 days after injury. Western blot assay was used to detect caspase-3 and myeloperoxidase expression. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was done at 21 days after injury to observe the structure changes of the injured spinal cord. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Scores of Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan scale and inclined plane test were significantly better in the experimental group than the cell transplantation group followed by the control group (P < 0.05). (2) In the control group, the expression of caspase-3 and myeloperoxidase was significantly increased at 14 days after injury. In the cell transplantation, the expression of caspase-3 and myeloperoxidase was significantly higher than the experimental group (P < 0.05). (3) Pathological inflammation was reduced most in the experimental group followed by the cell transplantation group. In the experimental group, the structure of injured spinal cord was improved and became relatively clear and intact. These findings indicate that neural stem cell transplantation combined with early exercise training can effectively promote the recovery of hindlimb motor function from spinal cord injury in rats, by reducing the expression of caspase-3 and myeloperoxidase and alleviating secondary lesion of the spinal cord.