Transplantation of human adipose-derived stem cells enhances remyelination in lysolecithin-induced focal demyelination of rat spinal cord.

Early human evidence such as case series or small samples is exploring possible benefits.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are a desirable stem cell source in neurodegenerative diseases treatment due to their ability to differentiate into different cell lineages. In this study, we transplanted human ADSCs (hADSCs) into a lysophosphatidylcholine (lysolecithin) model of multiple sclerosis (MS) and determined the efficiency of these cells in remyelination process. Forty adult rats were randomly divided into control, lysolecithin, vehicle, and transplantation groups, and focal demyelination was induced by lysolecithin injection into spinal cord. To assess motor performance, all rats were examined weekly with a standard EAE scoring scale. Four weeks after cell transplantation, to assess the extent of demyelination and remyelination, Luxol Fast Blue staining was used. In addition, immunohistochemistry technique was used for assessment of the presence of oligodendrocyte phenotype cells in damaged spinal cord. Our results indicated that hADSCs had ability to differentiate into oligodendrocyte phenotype cells and improved remyelination process. Moreover, the evaluation of rat motor functions showed that animals which were treated with hADSC compared to other groups had significant improvement (P < 0.001). Our finding showed that hADSCs transplantation for cell-based therapies may play a proper cell source in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as MS.

Evidence level

Early human evidence such as case series or small samples is exploring possible benefits.

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