Human umbilical cord blood-derived platelet -rich plasma: a new window for motor function recovery and axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND

There are complex mechanisms for reducing intrinsic repairability and neuronal regeneration following spinal cord injury (SCI). Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a rich source of growth factors and has been used to motivate the regeneration of peripheral nerves in neurodegenerative disorders. However, only a few studies have shown the effects of PRP on the SCI models.

METHODS

We investigated whether PRP derived from human umbilical cord blood (HUCB-PRP) could recover motor function in animals with spinal cord injury. Sixty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=60) as control, sham (laminectomy without induction of spinal cord injury), SCI, vehicle (SCI+ Platelet-Poor Plasma), PRP2day (SCI+PRP injection 2 days after SCI), and PRP14day (SCI+PRP injection 14 days after SCI). SCI was performed at the T12-T13 level. BBB test was carried out weekly after injury for six weeks. Caspase3 expression was determined using the Immunohistochemistry technique. The expression of GSK3β, CSF-tau, and MAG was determined using the Western blot technique. Data were analyzed by PRISM & SPSS software.

RESULTS

HUCB-PRP treated animals showed a higher locomotor function recovery than those in the SCI group (p<0.0001). The level of caspase3, GSK3β and CSF- Tau reduced and the MAG level in the spinal cord increased by the injection of HUCB-PRP in SCI animals.

CONCLUSION

Injection of HUCB-PRP enhanced hind limb locomotor performance by modulation of caspase3, GSK3β, CSF-tau, and MAG expression. Using HUCB-PRP could be a new therapeutic option for recovering motor function and axonal regeneration after SCI.