ABSTRACT
The use of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells for cell transplantation therapy holds great promise for repairing spinal cord injury. Here we report the first clinical trial transplantation of human umbilical cord (hUCB)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into the spinal cord of a dog suspected to have fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy (FCEM) and that experienced a loss of deep pain sensation. Locomotor functions improved following transplantation in a dog. Based on our findings, we suggest that transplantation of hUCB-derived MSCs will have beneficial therapeutic effects on FCEM patients lacking deep pain sensation.
Subject(s)
Animals , Dogs , Female , Humans , Cartilage Diseases/etiology , Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation/veterinary , Dog Diseases/etiology , Embolism/etiology , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology , Spinal Cord Diseases/etiology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
A 6-year old, female, Schnauzer dog with chief complaint of tetraparesis was referred to the Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital of Chungnam National University. On physical examination, neulologic examinations and magnetic resonance imaging, this patient was diagnosed into fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy. Although conventional treatment such as prednisolone, cefotaxime and enrofloxacin revealed no improvement, this patient showed favorable therapeutic response by combined therapy with aquapuncture with prednisolone, modified moxibustion, herbal medicine and massage.