Effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplantation on the neurological function recovery of rats after spinal cord injury

[Objective]To investigate the effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs) transplantation on the neurological function recovery of rat after spinal cord injury(SCI).[Method]The SCI models were made by MASCIS Impactor at the level of T11 segment.Following model establishment,the rats were equally and randomly divided into 2 groups:control group(group A),BMSCs group(group B).At 1 week after SCI,0.1 ml BMSCs suspension were injected into tail vein of rats in group B,an equal volume of DMEM/F12 medium were injected into tail vein of rats in group A.At 1,2,4,8 weeks after SCI,locomotor functional recovery was evaluated by the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan(BBB) score.At 2,4,8 weeks following operation,we performed somatosensory evoked potential(SEP) tests and spinal cord histopathological examination.[Result]At 2,4,8 weeks following operation,compared with group A,BBB score was increased in group B.Significant difference was detected(P0.01).At 2,4,8 weeks following operation,compared with group A,the SEP N1 latency was decreased and P1-N1 wave amplitude was increased in group B.Significant difference was detected(P0.01).At 8 weeks after SCI,the rat spinal cord tissue damage zone of 2 groups were visible scar tissue and syringomyelia formation.In syringomyelia area,group A was bigger than group B.At 2,4,8 weeks after SCI,the rat spinal cord tissue of 2 groups were NF200 positive expression.Compared with group A,NF200 positive expression was enhanced in group B.Significant difference was detected(P0.01).[Conclusion]Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplantation can more significantly promote the neurological function recovery of rats after spinal cord injury.