Turkish Neurosurgery 2015 , Vol 25 , Num 4
Intraspinal Transplantation of Autologous Neurogenically-Induced Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Paraplegic Dogs without Deep Pain Perception Secondary to Intervertebral Disk Disease
Omer BESALTI1, Pinar CAN1, Eylul AKPINAR1, Zeynep AKTAS2, Ayse Eser ELCIN2, Yasar Murat ELCIN2
1Ankara University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Surgery, Ankara, Turkey
2Ankara University, Faculty of Science, and Ankara University Stem Cell Institute, Tissue Engineering, Biomaterials and Nanobiotechnology Laboratory, Ankara, Turkey
DOI : 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.14502-15.2 Aim: To investigate the effects of neurogenically-induced autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (NIBM-MSCs) in paraplegic dogs without deep pain perception (DPP) secondary to intervertebral disk disease (IVDD).

Material and Methods: Seven dogs which could not be improved neurologically with conventional treatment modalities were included in the study. All dogs were diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging and surgically treated. Each dog received two times a suspension of autologous 5.0x106 NIBM-MSCs, which were positive to CNPase and MAP-2, as well as to GFAP and beta III tubulin into the spinal cord through the hemilaminectomy defect percutaneously, with a 21-day interval.

Results: Two months after cell transplantation, there were no changes except for 1 gait score improvement for 1 of the cases. At the 4th month, gait score had improved 1 score in 5 cases, and one score progress was recorded in proprioception and nociception in 1 case. In eight months-followed up 4 cases were evaluated by the same parameter; gait score had improved in 3 cases, and propriception improved in 2 cases, and nociception improved in 3 cases.

ConclusIon: Our findings suggest that utility of autologous NIBM-MSCs for cases with poor prognosis after IVDD can be a promising approach. Keywords : Spinal cord injury, Dog, Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), Intervertebral disk disease

Corresponding author : Omer Besaltı, besalti@hotmail.com