Application of a modified optical fiber in targeted percutaneous laser disc decompression of lumbar disc herniation: A retrospective study.

Targeted percutaneous laser disc decompression (T-PLDD) is a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH). However, the amount of energy required is large and the nerve can be easily damaged. Therefore, this technology requires improvement. The present study aimed to observe the effects of using a modified optical fiber (Mod) in T-PLDD for the treatment of LDH. A retrospective study was conducted using the database of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University (Qingdao, China). In total, 58 patients who received T-PLDD with the Mod between June 2011 and May 2012 were included in the present study. The 10-point numeric rating score, pain rating index and good-to-excellent rating at 3 months (1.64±0.97; 5.79±1.57; 94.8%) were lower than those at 1 week (5.12±1.37; 11.52±1.85; 74.2%), and at 1 month (3.26±1.41; 7.83±1.31; 82.8%; P<0.05) and were maintained for up to 36 months (1.48±0.86; 4.91±1.43; 96.5%). The Oswestry disability index and 12-item Short Form Health Survey at 6 months (24.56±6.78; 69.40±5.08) were improved compared with 1 week, 1 month and 3 months, and were maintained for 36 months (23.10±6.20; 70.89±5.39). The T2 value decreased at 1 week (76±8) and returned to normal at 3 months (152±11). Additionally, patients in the Young group (<50 years old) recovered in a shorter period of time than the patients in the Elderly group. In conclusion, the patients stayed in hospital for 3.34±0.66 days; pain decreased and function increased optimally at 3-6 months and was maintained for 36 months with no serious complications. Individuals <50 years old may be more suitable candidates for T-PLDD with the Mod. The Mod should be applied and promoted in T-PLDD, and its use should be considered in the clinical setting.

Transplantation of rat-derived microglial cells promotes functional recovery in a rat model of spinal cord injury.

This study evaluated the effect of microglia transplantation on neurological functional recovery in rats subjected to traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). The rat model of SCI was established using a weight drop device. Forty SCI rats were randomly divided into the microglia group and the saline group. Then, rat-derived microglial cells or normal saline was injected into the injured site 7 days after surgery. The Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score, inclined plate test, and motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) were applied to assess the recovery of motor function. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to assess the therapeutic effect. Microglia transplantation significantly improved BBB scores and functional scores at 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after surgery compared to saline injection (P<0.05). Meanwhile, a prolonged MEP latency and decreased MEP amplitude were observed at 4 and 8 weeks in the microglia group (P<0.05). Histological analysis showed less damage and better prognosis in SCI rats of the microglia group. BrdU+ cell tracing experiments showed that microglia were recruited to the injured area of the spinal cord at 7 and 14 days after transplantation. The intensity of immunofluorescence was increased in CD68+ and OX42+ microglia at 2 days, 1 week, and 2 weeks, and then decreased at 3 and 4 weeks after transplantation in the microglia group. The transplantation of activated microglia played a key role in promoting the recovery of spinal cord function in a rat model of SCI.

Morphological and functional changes of microglia cultured under different oxygen concentrations and the analysis of related mechanisms.

This study investigated the effects of different concentrations of oxygen exposure on the morphology and function of N9 microglia and analyzed its mechanisms. N9 microglia were cultured under the condition of high (95% O2 and 5% CO2), normal (95% air and 5% CO2) and low oxygen (95% CO2 and 5% O2) concentrations. The cell morphologies were observed under inverted phase contrast microscope after 24 h. Flow cytometry was applied to detect cell survival and apoptotic rate. The mRNA and protein expression levels of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot analysis, respectively. The results showed that, N9 microglial apoptotic rates in hyperoxia and hypoxia conditions were significantly higher than those in the normal group (P<0.05) and the apoptosis rate in the hypoxia group was higher than that in the hyperoxia group (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression levels of IL-1ß and TNF-α in the hyperoxia and hypoxia groups were significantly higher than those in the normal group (P<0.05) and the mRNA and protein expression levels in hypoxia group were higher than those in the hyperoxia group (P<0.05). Therefore, N9 microglia cultured under hyperoxia and hypoxia conditions can be activated, enhancing pro-inflammatory response and inducing cell apoptosis. The mechanism may be that the secretion of neurotoxic factors IL-1ß and TNF-α is involved in these responses.

Transplantation of rat-derived microglial cells promotes functional recovery in a rat model of spinal cord injury

This study evaluated the effect of microglia transplantation on neurological functional recovery in rats subjected to traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). The rat model of SCI was established using a weight drop device. Forty SCI rats were randomly divided into the microglia group and the saline group. Then, rat-derived microglial cells or normal saline was injected into the injured site 7 days after surgery. The Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) score, inclined plate test, and motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) were applied to assess the recovery of motor function. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to assess the therapeutic effect. Microglia transplantation significantly improved BBB scores and functional scores at 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after surgery compared to saline injection (P<0.05). Meanwhile, a prolonged MEP latency and decreased MEP amplitude were observed at 4 and 8 weeks in the microglia group (P<0.05). Histological analysis showed less damage and better prognosis in SCI rats of the microglia group. BrdU+ cell tracing experiments showed that microglia were recruited to the injured area of the spinal cord at 7 and 14 days after transplantation. The intensity of immunofluorescence was increased in CD68+ and OX42+ microglia at 2 days, 1 week, and 2 weeks, and then decreased at 3 and 4 weeks after transplantation in the microglia group. The transplantation of activated microglia played a key role in promoting the recovery of spinal cord function in a rat model of SCI.

Correlations of O3 therapeutic targets and imaging localization in lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate correlations between the effects of O3 target-injection treatment and imaging localization in lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion (LIDP). METHODS: 164 LIDP patients were divided into 3 groups: group A, the protrusion located at level I-III, region 1-2, domain a-b; group B, the protrusion located at level I-III, region 1-2, domain c-d; group C: the protrusion located at level I-III, region 3-4, domain a-b. The patients were treated with LIDP O3-target treatment + blocking therapy with epidural anti-inflammatory analgesic liquid. RESULTS: Among the 164 LIDP patients, 95 patients (57.93%) exhibited the significant effectiveness after the treatment; 64 cases (39.02%) exhibited the effectiveness. The results of functional improvements revealed that 50 cases (53.76%) of sagittal plane and 54 cases of horizontal plane (55.67%) in the group A, 33 cases (35.48%) and 31 cases (31.96%) in the group C respectively were significantly better than those in the group B (10 cases, 10.75%; 12 cases, 12.37%) (P < 0.05). The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores 1 week and 1 month after the treatment in the three groups were significantly decreased than those before the treatment (P < 0.05). The intergroup comparison revealed that the A group (1 week 2.28 ± 0.85, 1 month 1.21 ± 0.27) and C (2.79 ± 0.98, 1.38 ± 0.55) were significantly better than the B group (3.92 ± 1.14, 2.53 ± 0.51) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The O3 target-injection treatment exhibited the best effects in treating the LIDP patients with the protrusion located at level I-III, region 1-2, domain a-b.

Immune therapy with cultured microglia grafting into the injured spinal cord promoting the recovery of rat's hind limb motor function.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of activated microglia grafting on rats' hind limb motor function recovery after spinal cord injury. METHODS: Microglia were separated from primary culture and subcultured for 3 generations. Lipopolysaccharide was added to the culture medium with the terminal concentration of 10 microl/L for microglia activation 3 days before transplantation. Totally 80 adult Wistar rats were divided into transplantation group and control group, with 40 rats in each group. Spinal cord injury model of rats was set by hitting onto the spinal cord using a modified Allen impactor. With a 5 microl micro-syringe, the activated microglia suspension was injected into the injured area 7 days after the first operation. Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scoring for hind limb motor function was taken on the 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th day after microglia transplantation, and 8 rats were sacrificed at each time point mentioned above, respectively. Frozen sections of the spinal cord were made for haematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Naoumenko-Feigin stainings. SPSS 11.0 software was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: BBB scores for hind limb motor function on the 14th, 21st, and 28th day were significantly higher compared with the control group. Most liquefaction necrosis areas disappeared and only a few multicystic cavities surrounded by aggregated microglia remained in the transplantation group. Naoumenko-Feigin staining for microglia showed that the transplantation group had significantly more positive cells (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Grafting of activated microglia into the injured spinal cord can significantly promote the hind limb motor function recovery in rats with spinal cord injury and reduce the size of liquefaction necrosis area. The extent of lower limb motor function improvement has a positive correlation with the number of aggregated microglia.