Experimental study on treatment of acute spinal cord injury by autologous activated Schwann cells transplantation in the rat

Objective To observe the effect of treating acute spinal cord injury in rats by transplantation of autologous activated Schwann cells(AASCs). Methods Unilateral saphenous nerves were ligated directly, free it and culture Schwann cells 1 week later using the tissue clot method. Nerve growth factor(NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) in medium were detected in different periods. 90 female Wistar rats[(200±30) g] were randomly assigned to 3 different study groups as follows: control group A(n=30): 20% DMEM injection; research group B(n=30): autologous Schwann cells(ASCs) transplantation; research group C (n=30): AASCs transplantation. The cells were purified before transplantion to the injuried T10 spinal cord site of rats (New York University type weight drop apparatus, NYU). The recoveries of the lower extremity were observed using Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan(BBB) locomotor scoring system and somatosensory evoked potential and motor evoked potentials(SEP MEP). And then observe the coticospinal tract(CST) using the biotinylated dextran amine(BDA) tracing. Results BBB score was higher in research group than the control group 4 weeks after injury, the statistical difference was significant(P 0.05). Statistical differences showed in latency period and wave amplitude in SEP MEP after 8 and 12 weeks. Using tracing 7 points in different distance spreading from the lesion center in each group to measure the CST, the results showed more axons regenerate in AASCs group than the other two groups with significant statistical difference (P 0.05). Conclusion ASCs and AASCs can survive and keep active after transplantation; they both can promote the recovery of the paralyzed lower extremity after spinal cord injury, and the effect of AASCs is better.