Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Studies have confirmed that neural stem cells (NSCs) transplantation can promote nerve functional recovery in animals with cerebral infarction.
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of different quantities of NSCs transplantation in rats with cerebral infarction and to find the minimum quantity of transplanted cells to promote nerve functional recovery effectively.
METHODS: Embryonic brain tissues of Wistar rats were extracted and NSCs were cultured in vitro. The cerebral infarction models of Wistar rats were constructed by using suture method. At 7 days after cerebral infarction, cultured NSCs were extracted at 12 days. BrdU-labeled NSCs with 6×105, 8×105 and 10×105 were transplanted using stereotactic and micro-injection pump. A sham-transplanted group was established. Behavioral changes at 3 months after transplantation were evaluated by using prehensile traction test and inclined plane test. The differentiation of transplanted NSCs integrated with the surrounding host into neurons and glial cells was detected by using immunohistochemical staining in BrdU, neuron-specific enolase, glial fibrillary acidic protein.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: NSCs could survive in the host brain after transplantation and differentiate into neurons and glial cells to promote functional recovery. At 3 months after NSCs transplantation, compared with the sham-transplanted group, the behavioral score was significantly increased in the transplanted group. The behavioral score was improved more significantly in the moderate quantity transplanted group than in the low quantity transplanted group, while there was no significant difference between the moderate quantity transplanted group and high quantity transplanted group. It is indicated that different quantities of NSCs transplantation in treatment of cerebral infarction can promote dysfunction recovery. The quantity of NSCs transplantation 8×105 can play better effect with less quantity transplantation.