Only a few studies have considered changes in brain structures other than sensory and motor cortex after spinal cord injury,although cognitive impairments have been reported in these patients.Spinal cord injury result...Only a few studies have considered changes in brain structures other than sensory and motor cortex after spinal cord injury,although cognitive impairments have been reported in these patients.Spinal cord injury results in chronic brain neuroinflammation with consequent neurodegeneration and cognitive decline in rodents.Regarding the hippocampus,neurogenesis is reduced and reactive gliosis increased.These longterm abnormalities could explain behavioral impairments exhibited in humans patients suffering from spinal cord trauma.展开更多
We conducted a systematic review of studies using non-invasive brain stimulation(NIBS: repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(r TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation(t DCS)) as a research and c...We conducted a systematic review of studies using non-invasive brain stimulation(NIBS: repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(r TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation(t DCS)) as a research and clinical tool aimed at improving motor and functional recovery or spasticity in patients following spinal cord injury(SCI) under the assumption that if the residual corticospinal circuits could be stimulated appropriately, the changes might be accompanied by functional recovery or an improvement in spasticity. This review summarizes the literature on the changes induced by NIBS in the motor and functional recovery and spasticity control of the upper and lower extremities following SCI.展开更多
Gastrodin, an active component of tall gastrodia tuber, is widely used in the treatment of dizziness, paralysis, epilepsy, stroke and dementia, and exhibits a neuroprotective effect. A rat model of spinal cord injury ...Gastrodin, an active component of tall gastrodia tuber, is widely used in the treatment of dizziness, paralysis, epilepsy, stroke and dementia, and exhibits a neuroprotective effect. A rat model of spinal cord injury was established using Allen's method, and gastrodin was administered via the subarachnoid cavity and by intraperitoneal injection for 7 days. Results show that gastrodin promoted the secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in rats with spinal cord injury. After gastrodin treatment, the maximum angle of the inclined plane test, and the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan scores increased. Moreover, gastrodin improved neural tissue recovery in the injured spinal cord. These results demonstrate that gastrodin promotes the secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, contributes to the recovery of neurological function, and protects neural cells against injury.展开更多
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)can significantly promote nerve regeneration and repair.High expression of the BDNF-green fluorescent protein(GFP)gene persists for a long time after transfection into neural...Brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)can significantly promote nerve regeneration and repair.High expression of the BDNF-green fluorescent protein(GFP)gene persists for a long time after transfection into neural stem cells.Nevertheless,little is known about the biological characteristics of BDNF-GFP modified nerve stem cells in vivo and their ability to induce BDNF expression or repair spinal cord injury.In the present study,we transplanted BDNF-GFP transgenic neural stem cells into a hemisection model of rats.Rats with BDNF-GFP stem cells exhibited significantly increased BDNF expression and better locomotor function compared with stem cells alone.Cellular therapy with BDNF-GFP transgenic stem cells can improve outcomes better than stem cells alone and may have therapeutic potential for spinal cord injury.展开更多
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes synaptic formation and functional maturation by upregulating synapsin expression in cortical and hippocampal neurons. However, it remains controversial whether BDNF ...Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes synaptic formation and functional maturation by upregulating synapsin expression in cortical and hippocampal neurons. However, it remains controversial whether BDNF affects synapsin expression in spinal cord anterior horn neurons. Wistar rat spinal cord anterior horn neurons were cultured in serum-supplemented medium containing BDNF, BDNF antibody, and Hank's solution for 3 days, and then synapsin I and synaptophysin protein and mRNA expression was detected. Under serum-supplemented conditions the number of surviving neurons in the spinal cord anterior horn was similar among BDNF, anti-BDNF, and control groups (P 〉 0.05). Synapsin I and synaptophysin protein and mRNA expressions were increased in BDNF-treated neurons, but decreased in BDNF antibody-treated neurons (P 〈 0.01). These results indicated that BDNF significantly promotes synapsin I and synaptophysin expression in in vitro-cultured rat spinal cord anterior horn neurons.展开更多
Naive liposomes can cross the blood-brain barrier and blood-spinal cord barrier in small amounts. Liposomes modified by a transactivating-transduction protein can deliver antibiotics for the treatment of acute bacteri...Naive liposomes can cross the blood-brain barrier and blood-spinal cord barrier in small amounts. Liposomes modified by a transactivating-transduction protein can deliver antibiotics for the treatment of acute bacterial infection-induced brain inflammation. Liposomes conjugated with polyethylene glycol have the capability of long-term circulation. In this study we prepared transactivating-transduction protein-polyethylene glycol-modified liposomes labeled with fiuorescein isothiocyanate. Thus, liposomes were characterized by transmembrane, long-term circulation and fluorescence tracing. Uptake, cytotoxicity, and the ability of traversing blood-spinal cord and blood-brain barriers were observed following coculture with human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7). Results demonstrated that the liposomes had good biocompatibility, and low cytotoxicity when cocultured with human breast adenocarcinoma cells. Liposomes could traverse cell membranes and entered the central nervous system and neurocytes through the blood-spinal cord and blood-brain barriers of rats via the systemic circulation. These results verified that fluorescein isothiocyanate-modified transactivating-transduction protein-polyethylene glycol liposomes have the ability to traverse the blood-spinal cord and blood-brain barriers.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Because bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) do not secrete sufficient brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the use of exogenous BDNF could improve microenvironments in injured regions for ...BACKGROUND: Because bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) do not secrete sufficient brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the use of exogenous BDNF could improve microenvironments in injured regions for BMSCs differentiation. OBJECTIVE: To analyze recovery of the injured spinal cord following BMSCs venous transplantation in combination with consecutive injections of BDNF. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized, controlled animal experiment was performed at the Central Laboratory of First Hospital and Anatomical Laboratory, Fujian Medical University from October 2004 to May 2006. MATERIALS: Human BDNF was purchased from Sigma, USA. METHODS: A total of 44 New Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned to model (n = 8), BDNF (n = 12), BMSC (n= 12), and BMSC+BDNF (n= 12) groups. Spinal cord (I-2)injury was established with the dropping method. The model group rabbits were injected with 1 mL normal saline via the ear margin vein; the BDNF group was subdurally injected with 100 μg/d human BDNF for 1 week; the BMSC group was injected with 1 mL BMSCs suspension (2 × 10^6/mL) via the ear margin vein; and the BMSC+BDNF group rabbits were subdurally injected with 100 μg/d BDNF for 1 week, in addition to BMSCs suspension via the ear margin vein. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: BMSCs surface markers were detected by flow cytometry. BMSCs differentiation in the injured spinal cord was detected by immunofluorescence histochemistry. Functional and structural recovery, as well as morphological changes, in the injured spinal cord were respectively detected by Tarlov score, horseradish peroxidase retrograde tracing, and hematoxylin & eosin staining methods at 1, 3, and 5 weeks following transplantation. RESULTS: Transplanted BMSCs differentiated into neuronal-like cells in the injured spinal cord at 3 and 5 weeks following transplantation. Neurological function and pathological damage improved following BMSC + BDNF treatment compared with BDNF or BMSC alone (P 〈 0.01 or P 〈 0.05). CONCLUSION: BMSCs venous transplantation in combination with BDNF subdural injection benefits neuronal-like cell differentiation and significantly improves structural and function of injured spinal cord compared with BMSCs or BDNF alone.展开更多
The purpose of this work was to investigate whether, by intranasal administration, the nerve growth factor bypasses the blood-brain barrier and turns over the spinal cord neurons and if such therapeutic approach could...The purpose of this work was to investigate whether, by intranasal administration, the nerve growth factor bypasses the blood-brain barrier and turns over the spinal cord neurons and if such therapeutic approach could be of value in the treatment of spinal cord injury. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats with intact and injured spinal cord received daily intranasal nerve growth factor administration in both nostrils for 1 day or for 3 consecutive weeks. We found an in-creased content of nerve growth factor and enhanced expression of nerve growth factor receptor in the spinal cord 24 hours after a single intranasal administration of nerve growth factor in healthy rats, while daily treatment for 3 weeks in a model of spinal cord injury improved the deifcits in locomotor behaviour and increased spinal content of both nerve growth factor and nerve growth factor receptors. These outcomes suggest that the intranasal nerve growth factor bypasses blood-brain barrier and affects spinal cord neurons in spinal cord injury. They also suggest exploiting the possible therapeutic role of intranasally delivered nerve growth factor for the neuroprotection of damaged spinal nerve cells.展开更多
The present study employed a rat model of T10 spinal cord transection. Western blot analyses revealed increased brain-dedved neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in spinal cord segments caudal to the transection si...The present study employed a rat model of T10 spinal cord transection. Western blot analyses revealed increased brain-dedved neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in spinal cord segments caudal to the transection site following injection of replication incompetent herpes simplex virus vector (HSV-BDNF) into the subarachnoid space. In addition, hindlimb locomotor functions were improved. In contrast, BDNF levels decreased following treatment with replication defective herpes simplex virus vector construct small interference BDNF (HSV-siBDNF). Moreover, hindlimb locomotor functions gradually worsened. Compared with the replication incompetent herpes simplex virus vector control group, extracellular signal regulated kinasel/2 expression increased in the HSV-BDNF group on days 14 and 28 after spinal cord transection, but expression was reduced in the HSV-siBDNF group. These results suggested that BDNF plays an important role in neural plasticity via extracellular signal regulated kinasel/2 signaling pathway in a rat model of adult spina cord transection.展开更多
Research scientists and clinicians should be aware that missed diagnoses of mild-moderate traumatic brain injuries in post-acute patients having spinal cord injuries may approach 60-74% with certain risk factors, pote...Research scientists and clinicians should be aware that missed diagnoses of mild-moderate traumatic brain injuries in post-acute patients having spinal cord injuries may approach 60-74% with certain risk factors, potentially causing clinical consequences for patients, and confounding the results of clinical research studies. Factors leading to a missed diagnosis may include acute trauma-related life-threatening issues, sedation/intubation, subtle neuropathology on neuroimaging, failure to collect Glasgow Coma Scale scores or duration of posttraumatic amnesia, or lack of validity of this information, and overlap in neuro-cognitive symptoms with emotional responses to spinal cord injuries. Strategies for avoiding a missed diagnosis of mild-moderate traumatic brain injuries in patients having a spinal cord injuries are highlighted in this perspective.展开更多
The barriers present in the interfaces between the blood and the central nervous system form a major hurdle for the pharmacological treatment of central nervous system injuries and diseases.The family of ATP-binding c...The barriers present in the interfaces between the blood and the central nervous system form a major hurdle for the pharmacological treatment of central nervous system injuries and diseases.The family of ATP-binding cassette(ABC)transporters has been widely studied regarding efflux of medications at blood-central nervous system barriers.These efflux transporters include P-glycoprotein(abcb1),‘breast cancer resistance protein'(abcg2)and the various‘multidrug resistance-associated proteins'(abccs).Understanding which efflux transporters are present at the blood-spinal cord,blood-cerebrospinal fluid and cerebrospinal fluid-spinal cord barriers is necessary to determine their involvement in limiting drug transfer from blood to the spinal cord tissue.Recent developments in the blood-brain barrier field have shown that barrier systems are dynamic and the profile of barrier defenses can alter due to conditions such as age,disease and environmental challenge.This means that a true understanding of ABC efflux transporter expression and localization should not be one static value but instead a range that represents the complex patient subpopulations that exist.In the present review,the blood-central nervous system barrier literature is discussed with a focus on the impact of ABC efflux transporters on:(i)protecting the spinal cord from adverse effects of systemically directed drugs,and(ii)limiting centrally directed drugs from accessing their active sites within the spinal cord.展开更多
This study was designed to investigate whether the Notch pathway is involved in the develop-ment of diffuse spinal cord astrocytomas. BALB/c nude mice received injections of CD133+and CD133? cell suspensions prepare...This study was designed to investigate whether the Notch pathway is involved in the develop-ment of diffuse spinal cord astrocytomas. BALB/c nude mice received injections of CD133+and CD133? cell suspensions prepared using human recurrent diffuse spinal cord astrocytoma tissue through administration into the right parietal lobe. After 7–11 weeks, magnetic resonance imaging was performed weekly. Xenografts were observed on the surfaces of the brains of mice receiving the CD133+ cell suspension, and Notch-immunopositive expression was observed in the xenografts. By contrast, no xenografts appeared in the identical position on the surfaces of the brains of mice receiving the CD133? cell suspension, and Notch-immunopositive expres-sion was hardly detected either. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining revealed xenografts on the convex surfaces of the brains of mice that underwent CD133+ astro-cytoma transplantation. Some sporadic astroglioma cells showed pseudopodium-like structures, which extended into the cerebral white matter. However,it should be emphasized that the sub-cortex xenograft with Notch-immunopositive expression was found in the fourth mouse received injection of CD133? astrocytoma cells. However, these ifndings suggest that the Notch pathway plays an important role in the formation of astrocytomas, and can be considered a novel treat-ment target for diffuse spinal cord astrocytoma.展开更多
Patients who suffer from a high spinal cord injury have severe motor disabilities in the lower as well as in the upper extremities. Thus they rely on the help of other people in everyday life. Restoring the function o...Patients who suffer from a high spinal cord injury have severe motor disabilities in the lower as well as in the upper extremities. Thus they rely on the help of other people in everyday life. Restoring the function of the upper limbs, especially the grasp function can help them to gain some independence. Using EEG-based neuroprosthetics is a way to help tetraplegic people restore different grasp types as well as moving the arm and the elbow. In this work an overview of non-invasive EEG-based methods for restoring the hand and arm function with the use of neuroprosthetics in individuals with high spinal cord injury is given. Since the Graz BCI group is leading in this area of non-invasive research mainly, the work of this group is represented.展开更多
Flavonoids from Huangqin(dried roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi) have anti-inflammatory effects, and are considered useful for treatment of spinal cord injury. To verify this hypothesis, the T9-10 spinal cord...Flavonoids from Huangqin(dried roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi) have anti-inflammatory effects, and are considered useful for treatment of spinal cord injury. To verify this hypothesis, the T9-10 spinal cord segments of rats were damaged using Allen's method to establish a rat spinal cord injury model. Before model establishment, Huangqin flavonoid extraction(12.5 g/kg) was administered intragastrically for 1 week until 28 days after model establishment. Methylprednisolone(30 mg/kg) was injected into the tail vein at 30 minutes after model establishment as a positive control. Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan locomotor scale scores were used to assess hind limb motor function. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to detect pathological changes in the injured spinal cord. Immunofluorescence and western blot assays were performed to measure immunoreactivity and expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neuronal marker neurofilament protein, microglial marker CD11 b and astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein in the injured spinal cord. Huangqin flavonoid extraction markedly reduced spinal cord hematoma, inflammatory cell infiltration and cavities and scars, and increased the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan locomotor scale scores; these effects were identical to those of methylprednisolone. Huangqin flavonoid extraction also increased immunoreactivity and expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurofilament protein, and reduced immunoreactivity and expression levels of CD11 b and glial fibrillary acidic protein, in the injured spinal cord. Overall, these data suggest that Huangqin flavonoid extraction can promote recovery of spinal cord injury by inducing brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurofilament protein expression, reducing microglia activation and regulating reactive astrocytes.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Transplantation of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been shown to benefit spinal cord injury (SCI) repair. However, mechanisms of microenvironmental regulation duri...BACKGROUND: Transplantation of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been shown to benefit spinal cord injury (SCI) repair. However, mechanisms of microenvironmental regulation during differentiation of transplanted MSCs remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To observe changes in nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression following transplantation of human umbilical cord-derived MSCs, and to explore the association between microenvironment and neural functional recovery following MSCs transplantation. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from April 2005 to March 2007. MATERIALS: Human cord blood samples were provided by the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. Written informed consent was obtained. METHODS: A total of 62 Wister rats were randomly assigned to control (n = 18), model (n = 22, SCI + PBS), and transplantation (n = 22, SCI + MSCs) groups. The rat SCI model was established using the weight compression method. MSCs were isolated from human umbilical cord blood and cultured in vitro for several passages. 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-Iabeled MSCs (24 hours before injection) were intravascularly transplanted. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The rats were evaluated using the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor score and inclined plane tests. Transplanted cells were analyzed following immunohistochemistry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay was performed to determine NGF, BDNF, and IL-8 levels prior to and after cell transplantation. RESULTS: A large number of BrdU-positive MSCs were observed in the SCI region of the transplantation group, and MSCs were evenly distributed in injured spinal cord tissue 1 week after transplantation. BBB score and inclined plane test results revealed significant functional improvement in the transplantation group compared to the model group (P 〈 0.05), which was maintained for 2-3 weeks. Compared to the model group, NGF and BDNF levels were significantly increased in the injured region following MSCs transplantation at 3 weeks (P 〈 0.05), but IL-8 levels remained unchanged (P 〉 0.05). CONCLUSION: MSCs transplantation increased NGF and BDNF expression in injured spinal cord tissue. MSCs could promote neurological function recovery in SCI rats by upregulating NGF expression and improving regional microenvironments.展开更多
Objective: To investigate the effects of exogenous brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) expression on in- jured spinal cord by being injected into the cord following its reconstruction with adenovirus. Method: A re...Objective: To investigate the effects of exogenous brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) expression on in- jured spinal cord by being injected into the cord following its reconstruction with adenovirus. Method: A reliable rat model with injury of different gradation was established by using a weight-drop apparatus with a laser compression recorder. The replicate-defect recombinant adenoviral vector containing BDNF gene was transferred into the site of injured spinal cord by direct injection. The validity of gene transfer was verified with X-Gal staining. The morphological changes of the injured ax- on were studied quantitatively. The expression of BDNF mRNA, and immunocytochemical reactivity of BDNF and neurofila- ment(NF) in injured cord of rats were observed. Results: It was verified that the spinal coal could be effectively infected by injecting the adenoviral vector into the injured cord, and the reporter gene was expressed. The loss of axons reduced following the in vivo infection of adenoviral vector carrying exogenous BDNF gene after in injury, while more NF immunopositive ax- ons than that of normal spical cord were found. Conclusion: With in vivo transfer of adenovirus vector into the injured site, a certain extent of protection could be provided to the injured axons by increasing local expressions of exogenous DBNF, and renovation of the cytoskeleton in the injured neurons was facilitated. These double effects are both important in gene therapy of spinal cord injuries.展开更多
Saponins extracted from Panax notoginseng are neuroprotective, but the mechanisms underlying this effect remain unclear. In the present study, we established a rat model of thoracic(T10) spinal cord transection, and...Saponins extracted from Panax notoginseng are neuroprotective, but the mechanisms underlying this effect remain unclear. In the present study, we established a rat model of thoracic(T10) spinal cord transection, and injected Panax notoginseng saponins(100 mg/kg) or saline 30 minutes after injury. Locomotor functions were assessed using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan(BBB) scale from 1 to 30 days after injury, and immunohistochemistry was carried out in the ventral horn of the spinal cord at 1 and 7 days to determine expression of nerve growth factor(NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF). Our results show that at 7–30 days post injury, the BBB score was higher in rats treated with Panax notoginseng saponins than in those that received saline. Furthermore, at 7 days, more NGF- and BDNF-immunoreactive neurons were observed in the ventral horn of the spinal cord of rats that had received Panax notoginseng saponins than in those that received saline. These results indicate that Panax notoginseng saponins caused an upregulation of NGF and BDNF in rats with spinal cord transection, and improved hindlimb motor function.展开更多
Background: Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM) from breast cancer is a relatively rare disease. We present this disease. Case presentation: The patient was a 67-year-old woman with lung metastasis appearing ...Background: Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM) from breast cancer is a relatively rare disease. We present this disease. Case presentation: The patient was a 67-year-old woman with lung metastasis appearing 3 years after breast cancer surgery. Complete remission was achieved for the metastatic lesion with chemotherapy, but multiple cerebellar metastases were found 3 months after the completion of chemotherapy. Whole-brain irradiation was administered, resulting in symptomatic improvement. Approximately 6 months later, the patient experienced weakness in the lower extremities and difficulty walking. Magnetic resonance imaging detected a well-defined intraspinal tumor measuring 13 × 13 × 30 mm at the level of Th12-L1. After 20-Gy irradiation to the tumor, oral steroid administration, and rehabilitation, the patient regained the ability to walk. Eight months have passed, to date, since these interventions and the patient is currently receiving treatment for metastases to bones, including the spine, but is still capable of walking without difficulty. We herein report this case with a review of the relevant literature. Conclusion: ISCM in the breast cancer is relatively rare. But, it is the clinical condition which it should always place in the mind.展开更多
文摘Only a few studies have considered changes in brain structures other than sensory and motor cortex after spinal cord injury,although cognitive impairments have been reported in these patients.Spinal cord injury results in chronic brain neuroinflammation with consequent neurodegeneration and cognitive decline in rodents.Regarding the hippocampus,neurogenesis is reduced and reactive gliosis increased.These longterm abnormalities could explain behavioral impairments exhibited in humans patients suffering from spinal cord trauma.
文摘We conducted a systematic review of studies using non-invasive brain stimulation(NIBS: repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(r TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation(t DCS)) as a research and clinical tool aimed at improving motor and functional recovery or spasticity in patients following spinal cord injury(SCI) under the assumption that if the residual corticospinal circuits could be stimulated appropriately, the changes might be accompanied by functional recovery or an improvement in spasticity. This review summarizes the literature on the changes induced by NIBS in the motor and functional recovery and spasticity control of the upper and lower extremities following SCI.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81171799
文摘Gastrodin, an active component of tall gastrodia tuber, is widely used in the treatment of dizziness, paralysis, epilepsy, stroke and dementia, and exhibits a neuroprotective effect. A rat model of spinal cord injury was established using Allen's method, and gastrodin was administered via the subarachnoid cavity and by intraperitoneal injection for 7 days. Results show that gastrodin promoted the secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in rats with spinal cord injury. After gastrodin treatment, the maximum angle of the inclined plane test, and the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan scores increased. Moreover, gastrodin improved neural tissue recovery in the injured spinal cord. These results demonstrate that gastrodin promotes the secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, contributes to the recovery of neurological function, and protects neural cells against injury.
基金the Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province, No. 20052096
文摘Brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)can significantly promote nerve regeneration and repair.High expression of the BDNF-green fluorescent protein(GFP)gene persists for a long time after transfection into neural stem cells.Nevertheless,little is known about the biological characteristics of BDNF-GFP modified nerve stem cells in vivo and their ability to induce BDNF expression or repair spinal cord injury.In the present study,we transplanted BDNF-GFP transgenic neural stem cells into a hemisection model of rats.Rats with BDNF-GFP stem cells exhibited significantly increased BDNF expression and better locomotor function compared with stem cells alone.Cellular therapy with BDNF-GFP transgenic stem cells can improve outcomes better than stem cells alone and may have therapeutic potential for spinal cord injury.
文摘Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes synaptic formation and functional maturation by upregulating synapsin expression in cortical and hippocampal neurons. However, it remains controversial whether BDNF affects synapsin expression in spinal cord anterior horn neurons. Wistar rat spinal cord anterior horn neurons were cultured in serum-supplemented medium containing BDNF, BDNF antibody, and Hank's solution for 3 days, and then synapsin I and synaptophysin protein and mRNA expression was detected. Under serum-supplemented conditions the number of surviving neurons in the spinal cord anterior horn was similar among BDNF, anti-BDNF, and control groups (P 〉 0.05). Synapsin I and synaptophysin protein and mRNA expressions were increased in BDNF-treated neurons, but decreased in BDNF antibody-treated neurons (P 〈 0.01). These results indicated that BDNF significantly promotes synapsin I and synaptophysin expression in in vitro-cultured rat spinal cord anterior horn neurons.
基金sponsored by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30872603the New Century Excellent Talents Program of the Ministry of Education of China,No.NCET-06-0251the Applied Basic Research Programs of Science and Technology Commission Foundation of Tianjin,China,No.07JCYBJC10200
文摘Naive liposomes can cross the blood-brain barrier and blood-spinal cord barrier in small amounts. Liposomes modified by a transactivating-transduction protein can deliver antibiotics for the treatment of acute bacterial infection-induced brain inflammation. Liposomes conjugated with polyethylene glycol have the capability of long-term circulation. In this study we prepared transactivating-transduction protein-polyethylene glycol-modified liposomes labeled with fiuorescein isothiocyanate. Thus, liposomes were characterized by transmembrane, long-term circulation and fluorescence tracing. Uptake, cytotoxicity, and the ability of traversing blood-spinal cord and blood-brain barriers were observed following coculture with human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7). Results demonstrated that the liposomes had good biocompatibility, and low cytotoxicity when cocultured with human breast adenocarcinoma cells. Liposomes could traverse cell membranes and entered the central nervous system and neurocytes through the blood-spinal cord and blood-brain barriers of rats via the systemic circulation. These results verified that fluorescein isothiocyanate-modified transactivating-transduction protein-polyethylene glycol liposomes have the ability to traverse the blood-spinal cord and blood-brain barriers.
基金the Major Program of Fujian Provincial Science and Technology Department, No. 2002Y014
文摘BACKGROUND: Because bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) do not secrete sufficient brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the use of exogenous BDNF could improve microenvironments in injured regions for BMSCs differentiation. OBJECTIVE: To analyze recovery of the injured spinal cord following BMSCs venous transplantation in combination with consecutive injections of BDNF. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized, controlled animal experiment was performed at the Central Laboratory of First Hospital and Anatomical Laboratory, Fujian Medical University from October 2004 to May 2006. MATERIALS: Human BDNF was purchased from Sigma, USA. METHODS: A total of 44 New Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned to model (n = 8), BDNF (n = 12), BMSC (n= 12), and BMSC+BDNF (n= 12) groups. Spinal cord (I-2)injury was established with the dropping method. The model group rabbits were injected with 1 mL normal saline via the ear margin vein; the BDNF group was subdurally injected with 100 μg/d human BDNF for 1 week; the BMSC group was injected with 1 mL BMSCs suspension (2 × 10^6/mL) via the ear margin vein; and the BMSC+BDNF group rabbits were subdurally injected with 100 μg/d BDNF for 1 week, in addition to BMSCs suspension via the ear margin vein. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: BMSCs surface markers were detected by flow cytometry. BMSCs differentiation in the injured spinal cord was detected by immunofluorescence histochemistry. Functional and structural recovery, as well as morphological changes, in the injured spinal cord were respectively detected by Tarlov score, horseradish peroxidase retrograde tracing, and hematoxylin & eosin staining methods at 1, 3, and 5 weeks following transplantation. RESULTS: Transplanted BMSCs differentiated into neuronal-like cells in the injured spinal cord at 3 and 5 weeks following transplantation. Neurological function and pathological damage improved following BMSC + BDNF treatment compared with BDNF or BMSC alone (P 〈 0.01 or P 〈 0.05). CONCLUSION: BMSCs venous transplantation in combination with BDNF subdural injection benefits neuronal-like cell differentiation and significantly improves structural and function of injured spinal cord compared with BMSCs or BDNF alone.
基金supported by Proj.PRIN prot.2007AF3XH4_005,"Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Roma",and"Ministero della Salute"Grant No.RF-FGB-2005-150198
文摘The purpose of this work was to investigate whether, by intranasal administration, the nerve growth factor bypasses the blood-brain barrier and turns over the spinal cord neurons and if such therapeutic approach could be of value in the treatment of spinal cord injury. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats with intact and injured spinal cord received daily intranasal nerve growth factor administration in both nostrils for 1 day or for 3 consecutive weeks. We found an in-creased content of nerve growth factor and enhanced expression of nerve growth factor receptor in the spinal cord 24 hours after a single intranasal administration of nerve growth factor in healthy rats, while daily treatment for 3 weeks in a model of spinal cord injury improved the deifcits in locomotor behaviour and increased spinal content of both nerve growth factor and nerve growth factor receptors. These outcomes suggest that the intranasal nerve growth factor bypasses blood-brain barrier and affects spinal cord neurons in spinal cord injury. They also suggest exploiting the possible therapeutic role of intranasally delivered nerve growth factor for the neuroprotection of damaged spinal nerve cells.
文摘The present study employed a rat model of T10 spinal cord transection. Western blot analyses revealed increased brain-dedved neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in spinal cord segments caudal to the transection site following injection of replication incompetent herpes simplex virus vector (HSV-BDNF) into the subarachnoid space. In addition, hindlimb locomotor functions were improved. In contrast, BDNF levels decreased following treatment with replication defective herpes simplex virus vector construct small interference BDNF (HSV-siBDNF). Moreover, hindlimb locomotor functions gradually worsened. Compared with the replication incompetent herpes simplex virus vector control group, extracellular signal regulated kinasel/2 expression increased in the HSV-BDNF group on days 14 and 28 after spinal cord transection, but expression was reduced in the HSV-siBDNF group. These results suggested that BDNF plays an important role in neural plasticity via extracellular signal regulated kinasel/2 signaling pathway in a rat model of adult spina cord transection.
基金Department of Physical Medicine&Rehabilitation funding by the United States Department of Education,National Institute of Disability Research and Rehabilitation#H133A120099(TBI Model Systems grant)
文摘Research scientists and clinicians should be aware that missed diagnoses of mild-moderate traumatic brain injuries in post-acute patients having spinal cord injuries may approach 60-74% with certain risk factors, potentially causing clinical consequences for patients, and confounding the results of clinical research studies. Factors leading to a missed diagnosis may include acute trauma-related life-threatening issues, sedation/intubation, subtle neuropathology on neuroimaging, failure to collect Glasgow Coma Scale scores or duration of posttraumatic amnesia, or lack of validity of this information, and overlap in neuro-cognitive symptoms with emotional responses to spinal cord injuries. Strategies for avoiding a missed diagnosis of mild-moderate traumatic brain injuries in patients having a spinal cord injuries are highlighted in this perspective.
文摘The barriers present in the interfaces between the blood and the central nervous system form a major hurdle for the pharmacological treatment of central nervous system injuries and diseases.The family of ATP-binding cassette(ABC)transporters has been widely studied regarding efflux of medications at blood-central nervous system barriers.These efflux transporters include P-glycoprotein(abcb1),‘breast cancer resistance protein'(abcg2)and the various‘multidrug resistance-associated proteins'(abccs).Understanding which efflux transporters are present at the blood-spinal cord,blood-cerebrospinal fluid and cerebrospinal fluid-spinal cord barriers is necessary to determine their involvement in limiting drug transfer from blood to the spinal cord tissue.Recent developments in the blood-brain barrier field have shown that barrier systems are dynamic and the profile of barrier defenses can alter due to conditions such as age,disease and environmental challenge.This means that a true understanding of ABC efflux transporter expression and localization should not be one static value but instead a range that represents the complex patient subpopulations that exist.In the present review,the blood-central nervous system barrier literature is discussed with a focus on the impact of ABC efflux transporters on:(i)protecting the spinal cord from adverse effects of systemically directed drugs,and(ii)limiting centrally directed drugs from accessing their active sites within the spinal cord.
基金supported by grants from Science Foundation of Ministry of Education of China for the Excellent Youth Scholars,No.200800011035the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81200969/H0912
文摘This study was designed to investigate whether the Notch pathway is involved in the develop-ment of diffuse spinal cord astrocytomas. BALB/c nude mice received injections of CD133+and CD133? cell suspensions prepared using human recurrent diffuse spinal cord astrocytoma tissue through administration into the right parietal lobe. After 7–11 weeks, magnetic resonance imaging was performed weekly. Xenografts were observed on the surfaces of the brains of mice receiving the CD133+ cell suspension, and Notch-immunopositive expression was observed in the xenografts. By contrast, no xenografts appeared in the identical position on the surfaces of the brains of mice receiving the CD133? cell suspension, and Notch-immunopositive expres-sion was hardly detected either. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining revealed xenografts on the convex surfaces of the brains of mice that underwent CD133+ astro-cytoma transplantation. Some sporadic astroglioma cells showed pseudopodium-like structures, which extended into the cerebral white matter. However,it should be emphasized that the sub-cortex xenograft with Notch-immunopositive expression was found in the fourth mouse received injection of CD133? astrocytoma cells. However, these ifndings suggest that the Notch pathway plays an important role in the formation of astrocytomas, and can be considered a novel treat-ment target for diffuse spinal cord astrocytoma.
文摘Patients who suffer from a high spinal cord injury have severe motor disabilities in the lower as well as in the upper extremities. Thus they rely on the help of other people in everyday life. Restoring the function of the upper limbs, especially the grasp function can help them to gain some independence. Using EEG-based neuroprosthetics is a way to help tetraplegic people restore different grasp types as well as moving the arm and the elbow. In this work an overview of non-invasive EEG-based methods for restoring the hand and arm function with the use of neuroprosthetics in individuals with high spinal cord injury is given. Since the Graz BCI group is leading in this area of non-invasive research mainly, the work of this group is represented.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81403278(to QZ)the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province of China,No.2017JM8058(to QZ)the Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China,No.15-ZY038(to QZ)
文摘Flavonoids from Huangqin(dried roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi) have anti-inflammatory effects, and are considered useful for treatment of spinal cord injury. To verify this hypothesis, the T9-10 spinal cord segments of rats were damaged using Allen's method to establish a rat spinal cord injury model. Before model establishment, Huangqin flavonoid extraction(12.5 g/kg) was administered intragastrically for 1 week until 28 days after model establishment. Methylprednisolone(30 mg/kg) was injected into the tail vein at 30 minutes after model establishment as a positive control. Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan locomotor scale scores were used to assess hind limb motor function. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to detect pathological changes in the injured spinal cord. Immunofluorescence and western blot assays were performed to measure immunoreactivity and expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neuronal marker neurofilament protein, microglial marker CD11 b and astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein in the injured spinal cord. Huangqin flavonoid extraction markedly reduced spinal cord hematoma, inflammatory cell infiltration and cavities and scars, and increased the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan locomotor scale scores; these effects were identical to those of methylprednisolone. Huangqin flavonoid extraction also increased immunoreactivity and expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurofilament protein, and reduced immunoreactivity and expression levels of CD11 b and glial fibrillary acidic protein, in the injured spinal cord. Overall, these data suggest that Huangqin flavonoid extraction can promote recovery of spinal cord injury by inducing brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurofilament protein expression, reducing microglia activation and regulating reactive astrocytes.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 3067104130870642
文摘BACKGROUND: Transplantation of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been shown to benefit spinal cord injury (SCI) repair. However, mechanisms of microenvironmental regulation during differentiation of transplanted MSCs remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To observe changes in nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression following transplantation of human umbilical cord-derived MSCs, and to explore the association between microenvironment and neural functional recovery following MSCs transplantation. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from April 2005 to March 2007. MATERIALS: Human cord blood samples were provided by the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. Written informed consent was obtained. METHODS: A total of 62 Wister rats were randomly assigned to control (n = 18), model (n = 22, SCI + PBS), and transplantation (n = 22, SCI + MSCs) groups. The rat SCI model was established using the weight compression method. MSCs were isolated from human umbilical cord blood and cultured in vitro for several passages. 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-Iabeled MSCs (24 hours before injection) were intravascularly transplanted. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The rats were evaluated using the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor score and inclined plane tests. Transplanted cells were analyzed following immunohistochemistry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay was performed to determine NGF, BDNF, and IL-8 levels prior to and after cell transplantation. RESULTS: A large number of BrdU-positive MSCs were observed in the SCI region of the transplantation group, and MSCs were evenly distributed in injured spinal cord tissue 1 week after transplantation. BBB score and inclined plane test results revealed significant functional improvement in the transplantation group compared to the model group (P 〈 0.05), which was maintained for 2-3 weeks. Compared to the model group, NGF and BDNF levels were significantly increased in the injured region following MSCs transplantation at 3 weeks (P 〈 0.05), but IL-8 levels remained unchanged (P 〉 0.05). CONCLUSION: MSCs transplantation increased NGF and BDNF expression in injured spinal cord tissue. MSCs could promote neurological function recovery in SCI rats by upregulating NGF expression and improving regional microenvironments.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Fundation of China, No. 39670740
文摘Objective: To investigate the effects of exogenous brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) expression on in- jured spinal cord by being injected into the cord following its reconstruction with adenovirus. Method: A reliable rat model with injury of different gradation was established by using a weight-drop apparatus with a laser compression recorder. The replicate-defect recombinant adenoviral vector containing BDNF gene was transferred into the site of injured spinal cord by direct injection. The validity of gene transfer was verified with X-Gal staining. The morphological changes of the injured ax- on were studied quantitatively. The expression of BDNF mRNA, and immunocytochemical reactivity of BDNF and neurofila- ment(NF) in injured cord of rats were observed. Results: It was verified that the spinal coal could be effectively infected by injecting the adenoviral vector into the injured cord, and the reporter gene was expressed. The loss of axons reduced following the in vivo infection of adenoviral vector carrying exogenous BDNF gene after in injury, while more NF immunopositive ax- ons than that of normal spical cord were found. Conclusion: With in vivo transfer of adenovirus vector into the injured site, a certain extent of protection could be provided to the injured axons by increasing local expressions of exogenous DBNF, and renovation of the cytoskeleton in the injured neurons was facilitated. These double effects are both important in gene therapy of spinal cord injuries.
文摘Saponins extracted from Panax notoginseng are neuroprotective, but the mechanisms underlying this effect remain unclear. In the present study, we established a rat model of thoracic(T10) spinal cord transection, and injected Panax notoginseng saponins(100 mg/kg) or saline 30 minutes after injury. Locomotor functions were assessed using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan(BBB) scale from 1 to 30 days after injury, and immunohistochemistry was carried out in the ventral horn of the spinal cord at 1 and 7 days to determine expression of nerve growth factor(NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF). Our results show that at 7–30 days post injury, the BBB score was higher in rats treated with Panax notoginseng saponins than in those that received saline. Furthermore, at 7 days, more NGF- and BDNF-immunoreactive neurons were observed in the ventral horn of the spinal cord of rats that had received Panax notoginseng saponins than in those that received saline. These results indicate that Panax notoginseng saponins caused an upregulation of NGF and BDNF in rats with spinal cord transection, and improved hindlimb motor function.
文摘Background: Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM) from breast cancer is a relatively rare disease. We present this disease. Case presentation: The patient was a 67-year-old woman with lung metastasis appearing 3 years after breast cancer surgery. Complete remission was achieved for the metastatic lesion with chemotherapy, but multiple cerebellar metastases were found 3 months after the completion of chemotherapy. Whole-brain irradiation was administered, resulting in symptomatic improvement. Approximately 6 months later, the patient experienced weakness in the lower extremities and difficulty walking. Magnetic resonance imaging detected a well-defined intraspinal tumor measuring 13 × 13 × 30 mm at the level of Th12-L1. After 20-Gy irradiation to the tumor, oral steroid administration, and rehabilitation, the patient regained the ability to walk. Eight months have passed, to date, since these interventions and the patient is currently receiving treatment for metastases to bones, including the spine, but is still capable of walking without difficulty. We herein report this case with a review of the relevant literature. Conclusion: ISCM in the breast cancer is relatively rare. But, it is the clinical condition which it should always place in the mind.