RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effect of pSVPoMcat (myelin basic protein microgene) modifying Schwann cell on injured spinal neurons.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A model of rat spinal cord injured by hemisection was used. One hundred and twenty healthy SD rats of both sexes weighing 250-300 g were divided into three groups: Group A (n=40, treated with implantation of pSVPoMcat modifying Schwann cell), Group B (n= 40, treated with implantation of Schwann cell only) and Group C (n=400, treated with sham operation as the control). One week after operation the rat functional recovery was observed dynamically by using combined behavioral score (CBS) and cortical somatasensory evoked potentials, the spinal cord sections were stained by Nissl, acid phosphatase enzyme histochemistry and cell apoptosis was examined by methye green, terminal deoxynucleotidyl and the dUTP Nick end labeling technique. Quantitative analysis was done by computer image analysis system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In Group A the injured neurons recovered well morphologically. The imaging analysis showed a result of Group A<Group B<Group C in the size of the neurons (P<0.01). The percentage of ACP (acid phosphatase) stained area and the rate of apoptosis sequence were groups A<B<C. The change of tendency was correlated to their function recovery according to CBS.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>pSVPoMcat modifying Schwann cell implantation has protective effect on injured spinal neurons and promotes recovery of injured spinal cord function in rats.</p>