Fetal spinal cord tissue transplantation to promote the recovery of neural function of injured spinal cord in adult rats

Aim To study the recovery of neural function of injured spinal cord by fetal spinal cord tissue transplantation and nerve growth factor.Methods Animal model of SCI was made by modified Allen's method.The rats were divided into the following 4 groups:group A with hemisection of the cord only;group B with cord hemisection and NGF;group C with cord hemisection and fetal cord grafting;group D with cord hemisetion,fetal cord grafting and NGF.After operation,combined behavioral scores were examined.Pathological changes of spinal cord tissue were observed with light microscopy.The slides with Nissl staining were used to measure the size of the neurons.The positive cells were quantitatively analyzed with a computer image analysis system.Results The transplantation of FSCS into the spinal cord cavity of adult rats formed following spinal cord injury can survive,grow,differentiate and form neurons connection.NGF may salvage the injured neurons.The recovery of neural function of injured spinal cord was better in group D,C,B than A as evidenced by CBS scores and morphological observation.The neurofunctional recovery was the best in group D.There may be a synergistic effect between FSC and NGF.Conclusion The combination of the transplantation of fetal spinal cord and nerve growth factor can promote the structural and functional recovery of the injured neurons.