Effects of bone marrow stromal cell and endothelial progenitor cell transplantations on the recovery of nerve function in rats with focal cerebral ischemia

Abstract

Objective To observe the recovery of nerve function in rats with focal cerebral ischemia after intravenously implant of bone marrow stromal cells(BMSCs)and/or endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs). Methods Forty heathy adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=10):vehicle group,BMSCs transplantation group,EPCs transplantation group and BMSCs combined with EPCs transplantation group.Middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)models were induced by suture method and 24 h after that,the rat models were intravenously transplanted with 1mL BMSCs,EPCs,BMSCs/EPCs at a concentration of 3×10~6 cells/mL.respectively.The same amount of PBS was injected into the vehicle group.Neurological and functional deficits were measured and evaluated by rotatory test,somesthesia test and neurological severity scores(Nss) before and 1, 7, 14 and 28 d after the transplantation.Microvessel density(MVD)was measured on the 7~(th)d of transplantation. Resets On the 7~(th)d of transplantation,BMSCs/EPCs group showed significantly longer rotation time,shorter adhesive-removal time and lower NSS as compared with the other 3 groups(P<0.05).On the 28~(th) d of transplantation,the MVD of the ischemic brain tissue in the BMSCs/EPCs group was significantly higher than that in the other 3 groups (P<0.05). Conclusion BMSCs combined with EPCs implantation can promote the recovery of nerve function in rats with focal cerebral ischemia. Key words: Middle cerebral artery occlusion; Bone marrow stromal cells; Endothelial progenitor cells; Cell transplantation