A clinically relevant blunt spinal cord injury model in the regeneration competent axolotl ( Ambystoma mexicanum ) tail

A randomized controlled and blinded animal trial was conducted in the axolotl ( ), which has the ability to regenerate from transectional spinal cord injury (SCI). The objective of the present study was to investigate the axolotl's ability to regenerate from a blunt spinal cord trauma in a clin...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Experimental and therapeutic medicine 2019-03, Vol.17 (3), p.2322-2328
Main Authors: Thygesen, Mathias Møller, Lauridsen, Henrik, Pedersen, Michael, Orlowski, Dariusz, Mikkelsen, Trine Werenberg, Rasmussen, Mikkel Mylius
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alcohol
Animals
Contusions
Diagnostic imaging
Edema
Histology
Medical examination
Medical research
Mexican axolotl
NMR
Nuclear magnetic resonance
Regeneration (Biology)
Spinal cord injuries
Studies
Surgery
Swimming
Trauma
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Summary:A randomized controlled and blinded animal trial was conducted in the axolotl ( ), which has the ability to regenerate from transectional spinal cord injury (SCI). The objective of the present study was to investigate the axolotl's ability to regenerate from a blunt spinal cord trauma in a clinical setting. Axolotls were block-randomized to the intervention (n=6) or sham group (n=6). A laminectomy of two vertebrae at the level caudal to the hind limbs was performed. To induce a blunt SCI, a 25 g rod was released on the exposed spinal cord. Multiple modalities were applied at baseline (pre-surgery), and subsequently every third week for a total of 9 weeks. Gradient echo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was applied to assess anatomical regeneration. To support this non-invasive modality, regeneration was assessed by histology, and functional regeneration was investigated using swimming tests and functional neurological examinations. MRI suggested regeneration within 6 to 9 weeks. Histological analysis at 9 weeks confirmed regeneration; however, this regeneration was not complete. By the experimental end, all animals exhibited restored full neurological function. The present study demonstrated that the axolotl is capable of regenerating a contusion SCI; however, the duration of complete regeneration required further investigation.
ISSN:1792-0981
1792-1015
DOI:10.3892/etm.2019.7193