Examination of the Combined Effects of Chondroitinase ABC, Growth Factors and Locomotor Training following Compressive Spinal Cord Injury on Neuroanatomical Plasticity and Kinematics

PLoS ONE, 2014 · DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111072 · Published: October 28, 2014

Spinal Cord Injury Neuroplasticity Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This research explores how a combination of treatments can help rats recover from spinal cord injuries. The treatments include using an enzyme called chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) to break down scar tissue, growth factors to encourage nerve growth, and daily treadmill training. The study found that this combined approach significantly improved the flexibility of the spinal cord's nerve pathways, particularly in the areas that control movement. It also helped to reduce inflammation and scar tissue around the injury site. While the rats showed some early signs of improved movement, the long-term impact on their ability to walk was not significantly better than rats that did not receive the combined treatment. The authors suggest that additional therapies may be needed for more substantial recovery.

Study Duration

7 Weeks

Participants

48 adult female Wistar rats

Evidence Level

Level II, Animal Study

Key Findings

1
The combined therapy significantly enhanced the neuroanatomical plasticity of major descending spinal tracts such as corticospinal and serotonergic-spinal pathways.
2
The pharmacological treatment attenuated chronic astrogliosis and inflammation at and adjacent to the lesion with the modest synergistic effects of treadmill training.
3
An earlier return of locomotion was associated with an overall improvement of hindlimb angular excursions in the group treated with ChABC + GFs.

Research Summary

This study evaluated the effects of a combination therapy consisting of ChABC, growth factors, and treadmill training on neuroanatomical plasticity and locomotor recovery in rats with compressive SCI. The combined therapy enhanced neuroanatomical plasticity in corticospinal and serotonergic pathways and attenuated chronic astrogliosis and inflammation at the lesion site. While the combined treatment led to clear chronic neuroanatomical plasticity, these structural changes did not translate to an additional long-term improvement of locomotor parameters studied.

Practical Implications

Potential for Earlier Recovery

The combined treatment may lead to an earlier return of locomotion after SCI.

Enhanced Structural Plasticity

The study highlights the beneficial effects of combined ChABC, growth factors, and locomotor training on the plasticity of the injured spinal cord.

Need for Additional Approaches

Additional approaches such as cell therapies or more adapted treadmill training protocols may be required to optimize this repair strategy.

Study Limitations

1
The combinatorial approach had no additive long-term beneficial effects on the locomotor parameters studied.
2
Cage exercise in untrained and trained animals enhances their locomotor performance until a ceiling threshold is achieved beyond which any added treadmill training remains ineffective.
3
Some evidence of early locomotor recovery induced by the ChABC and GF treatments

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