Abstract
Objective This study is aimed at examining the efficacy of human umbilical cord blood-mononuclear cell (hUCB-MNCs) transplantation through lateral atlanto-occipital space puncture in multiple system atrophy (MSA) treatment and investigating changes in T-cell subsets in peripheral blood and inflammatory factors in patients before and after treatment. Methods A total of 20 patients with MSA who underwent hUCB-MNC transplantation through lateral atlanto-occipital space puncture in the Liaocheng People's Hospital were enrolled. Patients were followed up at 0, 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment, and the Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS) scores, TNF-α in the peripheral blood, IL-6, percentage of CD4, and CD4/CD8 ratio were evaluated and compared for each follow-up point; any adverse effects were recorded. Results UMSARS Part I scores were 20.55 ± 3.80, 19.20 ± 3.78, and 19.40 ± 4.11, 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively, after treatment and were significantly lower as compared to that before treatment (23.50 ± 4.72; P < 0.05). Similarly, UMSARS Part II scores 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment were 25.50 ± 5.01, 24.05 ± 5.01, and 24.25 ± 5.05, respectively, significantly lower as compared to that before treatment (30.15 ± 5.63; P < 0.05). The IL-6 values in the peripheral blood 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment were 5.25 ± 2.70 pg/m, 2.96 ± 1.75 pg/m, and 3.31 ± 1.62 pg/m, respectively, which were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that before treatment (8.22 ± 4.69) pg/m. The TNF-α levels at 3 and 6 months after treatment were 13.08 ± 6.13 pg/m and 12.24 ± 4.76 pg/m, respectively, which were significantly lower than that before treatment (22.99 ± 13.30; P < 0.01). The CD4/CD8 ratios in the peripheral blood 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment were 1.09 ± 0.25, 1.30 ± 0.24, and 1.43 ± 0.22, respectively, which were significantly different than that before treatment (0.81 ± 0.24, P < 0.01). Similarly, the CD4 percentages 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment were 34.09 ± 1.79, 36.05 ± 1.50, and 36.47 ± 1.47, respectively, which were significantly different than that before treatment (0.81 ± 0.24; P < 0.01). Conclusion hUCB-MNC transplantation through lateral atlanto-occipital space puncture could significantly improve the symptoms and signs in patients with MSA and delay the disease progression. Thus, hUCB-MNCs may modulate immune activity and reduce the inflammatory response.
Highlights
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a group of sporadic, maturity-onset, and neurodegenerative diseases with unknown etiology [1]
One patient developed a slight fever on the second-day posttreatment, with a maximum body temperature of 37.5°C; there were no significant abnormalities upon blood examinations, and the body temperature was normal within 12 hours after symptomatic treatment without recurrence
MSA is an insidious disease associated with a rapid progression and poor prognosis
Summary
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a group of sporadic, maturity-onset, and neurodegenerative diseases with unknown etiology [1]. MSA can be divided into the MSA-P type, where Parkinsonian syndrome is the prominent manifestation and the MSA-C type with cerebellar ataxia as the prominent manifestation. The incidence rate of MSA in Europe and the United States is estimated at 0.6 per 100,000 people, with a prevalence rate of approximately 1.9~4.9 per 100,000 individuals [2]; among them, the MSA-P type predominates. Among the Chinese, the prevalence of MSA-C type dominates. Complete epidemiological information from China at present is lacking. MSA progresses rapidly, and patients have a poor prognosis
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