Therapeutic effect of cell transplantation and chondroitinase in rat spinal cord injury

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to permanent functional deficits because the central nervous system lacks the ability for spontaneous repair. Cell therapy strategies offered a hope in neurological repair. The clinical use of human embryonic stem cell transplantation is hampered by scientific and ethical controversies. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs)/bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) is a promising cell source for autologous neurotransplantation devoid of ethical concerns. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the combined therapeutic effect of OEC, MSC, and chondroitinase in SCI rat models. Materials and Methods: Adult female albino Wistar rats were divided into ten groups, n = 6 rats in each group and control (n = 11). T10 level laminectomy was done in anesthetized rats to create drop-weight SCI. Both OEC and MSC were transplanted on the 9th day following SCI as a combined therapy with different dosage of 2 × 105, 5 × 105, 10 × 105, and >10 × 105 at a ratio of 1:1 with/without chondroitinase (0.2 U). One group of SCI rats was treated with chondroitinase alone 0.2 U. Dulbecco's Modified Eagle medium was injected in control rats. The outcome of transplantation was assessed using Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) scale and motor-evoked potential studies. Results: All the treated groups showed hindlimb motor recovery in BBB score except control group (P < 0.05). All the three combinations showed better results than OEC + MSC groups in hindlimb motor recovery. In dose-response relationship, 5- and 10-lakh combinations elicited increased functional recovery than 2- and more than 10-lakh combinations. However, chondroitinase alone demonstrated a highest BBB score than any other groups. Conclusions: Chondroitinase/cell combinations have a therapeutic beneficial effect in SCI.