Clinical and Experimental Advances in Regeneration of Spinal Cord Injury

Journal of Tissue Engineering, 2010 · DOI: 10.4061/2010/650857 · Published: October 18, 2010

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in motor, sensory, and other complications. While treatments exist, they have limited effects on regeneration and recovery. Researchers are exploring pharmacological treatments and cell transplantations to restore damaged spinal cords, along with neurotrophic factors, biomaterials, and rehabilitation. The goal is to find appropriate therapies that can be applied to patients with SCI in the future to improve their condition.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

SCI patients and animal models

Evidence Level

Review Article

Key Findings

1
Methylprednisolone can improve motor and sensory functions if applied within 8 hours of SCI, but it has detrimental effects and insufficient evidence.
2
Clinical trials using bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) transplantation for SCI patients were relatively safe but had limited effects.
3
OECs transplantation has shown some neurological, functional, electrophysiological and urodynamic improvements, however, other studies reported syrinx formation without any improvements.

Research Summary

The review summarizes recent clinical trials involving pharmacological treatments and cell transplantations for spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. It evaluates recent in vivo studies focusing on various regenerative approaches, including stem-cell transplantation, neurotrophic factors, biomaterial scaffolds, and rehabilitation. The article emphasizes the need for more research into the mechanisms of therapeutic strategies to optimize and combine them effectively for SCI regeneration.

Practical Implications

Future Clinical Trials

More clinical trials, especially Phase II studies, are needed for chronic SCI patients using refined stem cell delivery methods and dosages.

Combination Therapies

Combining therapeutic strategies targeting different mechanisms and SCI stages may lead to synergistic effects and enhanced regeneration.

Mechanism Understanding

Further research is required to elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of various therapeutic strategies for SCI to optimize their application.

Study Limitations

1
Autologous MSCs and OECs might not be enough to replace damaged neuronal cells.
2
Existing clinical trials for chronic SCI patients didn't exhibit functional improvement.
3
The molecular and cellular mechanism of each therapeutic strategy through animal study needs to be revealed.

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