Effects of Whole-Body Vibration and Manually Assisted Locomotor Therapy on Neurotrophin-3 Expression and Microglia/Macrophage Mobilization Following Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol., 2023 · DOI: 10.3390/cimb45040211 · Published: April 7, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Neurology Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how whole-body vibration (WBV) and passive movement therapy affect recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. The researchers looked at the impact of these therapies on nerve cell health (Neurotrophin-3 or NT-3) and immune cell activity (microglia/macrophages) in the spinal cord. WBV, when started 14 days after injury, showed the best results, improving nerve cell health and reducing harmful immune responses.

Study Duration

12 weeks

Participants

53 adult female Wistar rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
WBV therapy, initiated 14 days post-SCI, resulted in the best overall functional recovery.
2
WBV14 group showed the highest increase in NT-3 expression compared to other groups.
3
Increased NT-3 expression, especially in the dorsal horn, could potentially mediate favorable outcomes after SCI.

Research Summary

The study examined the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) and passive ﬂexion-extension (PFE) therapy on neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) expression and microglia/macrophage reaction after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. WBV therapy initiated 14 days post-injury (WBV14) showed superior functional recovery compared to PFE therapy, with a moderate decrease in Iba1 expression (a marker for microglia/macrophages) and the highest increase in NT-3 expression. The findings suggest that increased NT-3 expression, particularly in the dorsal horn, may mediate favorable outcomes following SCI, highlighting the importance of timing and type of intervention for effective spinal cord injury rehabilitation.

Practical Implications

Optimal timing of WBV

WBV therapy may be more effective when initiated at a specific time point (e.g., 14 days post-SCI) to maximize recovery outcomes.

NT-3 as a therapeutic target

Enhancing NT-3 expression, especially in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, may be a promising strategy for promoting functional recovery after SCI.

WBV vs. PFE

WBV therapy may offer advantages over PFE therapy due to its multisensory stimulation and active involvement of the SCI rats.

Study Limitations

1
Limited sample size in some experimental groups
2
The study focused on female rats, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to males
3
The specific mechanisms underlying the observed effects of WBV and PFE therapy on NT-3 expression and microglia/macrophage mobilization require further investigation

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