G. Guizarsahagun et al., NEUROPROTECTION OF COMPLETELY LACERATED SPINAL-CORD OF ADULT-RATS BY HOMOTOPIC AND HETEROTOPIC TRANSPLANTATION, Restorative neurology and neuroscience, 7(2), 1994, pp. 61-70
To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of transplants placed in the le
sion zone after a complete spinal cord (SC) laceration, two independen
t series of experiments were carried out. In the first, allogeneic or
xenogeneic fetal SC was transplanted into the gaps of the damaged lowe
r thoracic SC of adult rats. In the transplanted rats the incidence of
life-threatening complications was reduced, and the survival rate was
increased compared with the control group (lesion, without implant).
Histological examination showed less damage to the neighboring SC pare
nchyma in the transplanted rats. The measurement of this neuroprotecti
ve effect was made in a second series of experiments. Using the same m
odel of SC injury, allogeneic fetal SC, autologous peripheral nerve an
d/or adipose tissue were implanted. Rats with implants of Gelfoam and
damaged rats without implants were the controls. The implanted rats of
all groups, including the Gelfoam group, showed a better survival rat
e than the nonimplanted rats. Significantly less damage to the neighbo
ring SC parenchyma was measured in implanted rats with any of the live
tissues tested compared with non-implanted rats, although no signific
ant differences were observed between the Gelfoam group and the nonimp
lanted rats. Histological evidence of tissue implant survival was obse
rved in all corresponding groups. It is concluded that the transplante
d tissues tested here have a neuroprotective effect, possibly by actin
g as a buffer to neurotoxic substance(s) released by the stumps, and/o
r by exerting trophic effect(s) on the host.