Combination of Electroacupuncture and Grafted Mesenchymal Stem Cells Overexpressing TrkC Improves Remyelination and Function in Demyelinated Spinal Cord of Rats

Scientific Reports, 2015 · DOI: 10.1038/srep09133 · Published: March 16, 2015

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

This research investigates how combining electroacupuncture (EA) with transplanted mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that are modified to produce more of a specific protein (TrkC) can aid in repairing damage to the spinal cord in rats. The study found that this combination therapy helped the stem cells turn into cells that rebuild the protective coating around nerve fibers (oligodendrocytes), leading to improved nerve function and recovery in rats with spinal cord injuries. The results suggest that using EA alongside stem cell therapy could be a promising approach for treating spinal cord injuries and similar conditions that involve damage to nerve fibers.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

111 Sprague-Dawley male (SD) rats

Evidence Level

Level 2: Animal study

Key Findings

1
TrkC-MSCs combined with EA significantly increased the number of OPCs and oligodendrocyte-like cells differentiated from MSCs.
2
TrkC-MSCs1EA treatment could promote the myelin basic protein (MBP) expression and Kv1.2 arrangement trending towards the normal level.
3
Behavioural test and cortical motor evoked potentials detection demonstrated a significant functional recovery in the TrkC-MSCs1EA group.

Research Summary

This study investigated whether electroacupuncture (EA) treatment could enhance grafted TrkC-MSCs to differentiate into oligodendrocytes, remyelination and functional recovery in a rat model of demyelinated spinal cord injury. The results showed that TrkC-MSCs graft combined with EA treatment significantly increased the number of OPCs and oligodendrocyte-like cells differentiated from MSCs, promoted MBP expression, and improved Kv1.2 arrangement. The findings suggest that EA treatment can increase NT-3 expression, promote oligodendrocyte-like cell differentiation from TrkC-MSCs, remyelination, and functional improvement of demyelinated spinal cord.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

The combination therapy may offer a new approach to treat demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury.

Clinical Translation

These findings warrant further investigation into the clinical application of EA combined with stem cell therapy.

Mechanism Elucidation

Further studies should focus on the precise mechanisms by which EA promotes NT-3 expression and stem cell differentiation.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on rats, and results may not directly translate to humans.
2
The long-term effects of the combination therapy were not assessed.
3
The optimal parameters for EA treatment need further investigation.

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