Combined Effects of Neurotrophin Secreting Transplants, Exercise, and Serotonergic Drug Challenge Improve Function in Spinal Rats

Objectives. To determine the effects of neurotrophin-secreting transplants combined with exercise and serotonergic drug challenges on recovery of hindlimb function in rats with midthoracic spinal cord transection injuries. Methods. Spinalized animals received transplants of fibroblasts genetically m...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neurorehabilitation and neural repair 2005-12, Vol.19 (4), p.296-312
Main Authors: Nothias, J- M, Mitsui, T., Shumsky, J. S., Fischer, I., Antonacci, M. D., Murray, M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Combined Modality Therapy
Cycling
Disease Models, Animal
Exercise
Female
Fibroblasts - secretion
Fibroblasts - transplantation
Injuries
Nerve Growth Factors - physiology
Physical Conditioning, Animal
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Recovery of Function - physiology
Serotonin
Serotonin Receptor Agonists - therapeutic use
Spinal cord
Spinal Cord Injuries - physiopathology
Spinal Cord Injuries - therapy
Thoracic Vertebrae
Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc
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Summary:Objectives. To determine the effects of neurotrophin-secreting transplants combined with exercise and serotonergic drug challenges on recovery of hindlimb function in rats with midthoracic spinal cord transection injuries. Methods. Spinalized animals received transplants of fibroblasts genetically modified to express brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3 and daily cycling exercise. Hindlimb movement in an open-field test (BBB) was scored weekly. Serotonin agonists were used monthly to further stimulate motor function. Axonal growth was quantified in the transplant and at L5 using immunocytochemical markers. Weights of hindlimb muscles were used to assess muscle atrophy. Results. Neurotrophin-secreting transplants stimulated axonal growth, and cycling prevented muscle atrophy, but individual treatments did not improve motor scores. Combined treatments resulted in improvements in motor function. Serotonergic agonists further improved function in all groups, and transplant groups with exercise achieved weight-supporting levels following drug treatment. Conclusion. Combined treatments, but not individual treatments, improved hindlimb function.
ISSN:1545-9683
1552-6844
DOI:10.1177/1545968305281209