ABSTRACT
Objective To assess the effect of stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) on the migration of neural stem cells and recovery of lower limb function after spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods A modified version of Allen's method was used to establish a SCI model in each of 96 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats.They were then randomly divided into group A which received an injection of phosphate buffer solution,group B which received an injection of neural stem cells,group C which received a combination of SDF-1 and neural stem cells,and group D which received AMD3100 and neural stem cells 7 days after the modeling.The functioning of the hind limbs of all of the rats was assessed on the 7th,14th,21st and 28th day after the modeling.The rats were then sacrificed and frozen sections of their spinal cords were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and marked with CM-Dil under fluorescent light.Results An accumulation of fluorescing cells were observed in spine cords from both group B and C,with the counts of group B [(23.6 ±3.7),(18.9 ±5.6)and(15.2 ±4.3) respectively] at the day 14,21 and 28 after modeling significantly smaller than those of group C [(27.4 ± 4.7),(20.4 ± 5.2) and (18.3 ± 3.9) respectively].During the same period of time,the average BBB scores of groups B and C were significantly better than those of groups A and D.Moreover,the average score of group C was significantly higher than group B's at all time points.Conclusions Transplanted neural stem cells can migrate to the injured site,surviving and differentiating to promote the recovery of limb function in rats with spinal cord injury.SDF-1 can promote that migration and proliferation.Moreover,CXCR4 receptor's antagonist AMD3100 can significantly hinder neural stem cells' migration to the injured site on the spinal cord.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the impact of an injection of botulinum toxin type A combined with rehabilitation on the quality of life (QOL) of patients with spasmodic torticollis.Methods Thirty-eight patients with spasmodic torticollis were randomly divided into a combined treatment group and control group.Both groups were given a local muscular injection of botulinum toxin type A.One week later the combined group was given rehabilitation training.Both groups were assessed using the Toronto torticollis rating scale (TWSTRS),Tsui's scale and a health survey (SF-36) one week and eight weeks after the injection.Results Eight weeks after the injection,severity,disability,pain,physical functioning,vitality,mental health and Tsui scores had all increased significantly in the combined treatment group compared with before treatment.Physical functioning,pain,vitality,mental health and Tsui scores had also improved significantly compared with the control group.In the control group,only severity and Tsui scores were significantly improved compared with before treatment.Throughout the course of treatment there were no significant adverse reactions.Conclusions Combining botulinum toxin type A with rehabilitation has synergistic effects on spasmodic torticollis.It can significantly reduce disability scores,relieve pain and improve quality of life.