Effect of combined intrathecal/intravenous injection of bone marrow derived stromal cells in platelet-rich plasma on spinal cord injury in companion animals

Open Veterinary Journal, 2021 · DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2021.v11.i2.10 · Published: June 4, 2021

Spinal Cord Injury Veterinary Medicine Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries in companion animals can lead to severe complications, including irreversible paralysis. This study explores stem cell therapies as a potential treatment by differentiating into neurons and glial cells, reducing immune responses, preventing cell death, and releasing growth factors that encourage regeneration. The study focuses on using autologous bone marrow-derived stromal cells combined with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to treat chronic spinal cord injuries in dogs and cats through a single combined intrathecal/intravenous injection. The transplanted cells led to the restoration of weight-bearing locomotor function and spinal reflexes in less than 90 days with physical rehabilitation. The treatment resulted in minor changes in the magnetic resonance images of extruded discs.

Study Duration

90 days

Participants

5 dogs and 3 cats suffering from disc protrusion

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The combined intrathecal/intravenous injection of bone marrow stromal cells is a safe and promising procedure for treating chronic spinal cord injuries in companion animals.
2
Animals in this study showed major clinical improvement starting from 15 days post injection with physical rehabilitation at home, restored the control over the urination in all animals mostly from the second week post transplantation
3
Magnetic resonance did not show a marked improvement over the 90 days for the intervertebral disc extrusion lesions.

Research Summary

This study evaluates the use of autologous bone marrow-derived stromal cells in platelet-rich plasma for treating chronic spinal cord injuries in dogs and cats via a one-time combined intrathecal/intravenous injection. The results indicated that the transplanted cells led to the restoration of weight-bearing locomotor function and spinal reflexes in under 90 days with physical rehabilitation, though only minor changes were observed in MRI scans of extruded discs. The study concludes that the combined injection of bone marrow stromal cells is a safe and promising method for treating chronic spinal cord injuries in companion animals, offering hope for functional recovery.

Practical Implications

Clinical Application

The combined intrathecal/intravenous injection of bone marrow stromal cells with PRP can be considered as a therapeutic approach for chronic spinal cord injuries in companion animals.

Regenerative Medicine

The use of autologous stem cells and PRP highlights the potential of regenerative medicine in treating spinal cord injuries by promoting neuronal repair and reducing inflammation.

Future Research

Further studies should investigate the long-term effects of this treatment and explore the optimal dosage and timing of injections for maximizing functional recovery.

Study Limitations

1
The MRI scans did not show major improvements regarding the protruded discs.
2
The study included a small sample size of 5 dogs and 3 cats, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
3
The study did not include a control group, making it difficult to definitively attribute the observed improvements to the stem cell therapy.

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