The Efficacy of Body-Weight Supported Treadmill Training and Neurotrophin-Releasing Scaffold in Minimizing Bone Loss Following Spinal Cord Injury

Bioengineering, 2024 · DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11080819 · Published: August 12, 2024

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Musculoskeletal Medicine

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries can lead to significant bone loss below the injury site, increasing fracture risk. This study explores whether combining body-weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) with a scaffold that releases neurotrophins can minimize this bone loss in rats with spinal cord injuries. The study compared four groups of rats: injury only, injury with BWSTT, injury with neurotrophin-releasing scaffold, and injury with both treatments. The researchers then measured the structural and biomechanical properties of their forelimb and hindlimb bones. The results showed that BWSTT and the combined treatment led to improved bone properties in the hindlimbs (below the injury) and reduced overcompensation in the forelimbs (above the injury), suggesting these treatments can help mitigate bone loss after spinal cord injury.

Study Duration

8 Weeks

Participants

32 adult female Sprague Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
BWSTT and combinational groups reported higher biomechanical properties in the tibial bone (below injury level) when compared to the injury and scaffold groups.
2
BWSTT and combinational groups reported lower biomechanical properties in the humerus bone (above injury level) when compared to the injury and scaffold groups.
3
The scaffold-releasing neurotrophins alone was not effective in reducing bone loss in the hindlimbs or decreasing overcompensation-induced bone changes in the forelimbs.

Research Summary

This study investigated the effects of BWSTT and neurotrophin-releasing scaffolds, alone and in combination, on bone loss following spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. The study found that BWSTT and the combined therapy improved bone properties in the affected hindlimbs and reduced overcompensation in the unaffected forelimbs. The transplantation of scaffold-releasing neurotrophins alone was not effective in reducing bone loss or decreasing overcompensation-induced bone changes.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Strategies

BWSTT should be considered as an effective strategy to reduce bone loss after SCI.

Combination Therapies

Combining BWSTT with neurotrophin-releasing scaffolds may offer potential benefits, but further optimization is needed to demonstrate additional efficacy compared to BWSTT alone.

Transplantation Limitations

Transplantation of scaffold-releasing neurotrophins alone might not be sufficient to prevent bone loss after SCI.