Kerim Hakan Sitoci-Ficici1, Marina Matyash1,2, Ortrud Uckermann1, Roberta Galli3, Elke Leipnitz1, Robert Later1, Chrysanthy Ikonomidou2,4, Michael Gelinsky5,6, Gabriele Schackert1, Matthias Kirsch7,8. 1. Neurosurgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany. 2. Neuropediatrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany. 3. Clinical Sensoring and Monitoring, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany. 4. Department of Neurology, Developmental Brain Injury Laboratory, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA. 5. Center for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany. 6. CRTD/DFG-Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden-Cluster of Excellence, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany. 7. Neurosurgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany. matthias.kirsch@uniklinikum-dresden.de. 8. CRTD/DFG-Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden-Cluster of Excellence, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany. matthias.kirsch@uniklinikum-dresden.de.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury (SCI) and the consecutive devastating neurological sequelae have an enormous individual and economic impact. Implantation of functionalized hydrogels is a promising approach, because they can serve as a matrix for the regenerating tissue, carry and release bioactive molecules and various cell types. We already demonstrated that non-functionalized soft alginate hydrogel supported axonal outgrowth and protected neurons against oxidative stress in vitro. Here, we investigated the effects of such soft alginate hydrogels on locomotor recovery in small and large spinal cord lesions. METHOD: Hemimyelonectomy of 2 mm or 4 mm length was performed in rats and soft alginate hydrogel was implanted. Functional recovery of the hindlimbs was assessed in the open field [Batto Beattie Bresnahan (BBB) score] and using swimming test [Louisville Swim score (LSS)] for 140 days post injury (DPI). Reference histology was performed. RESULTS: Rats that received an alginate implant into 2 mm spinal cord lesions demonstrated significantly improved locomotor recovery compared to controls detectable already at 10 DPI. At 140 DPI, they reached higher LSS and BBB scores in swimming and open field tests, respectively. However, this beneficial effect of alginate was lacking in animals with larger (4 mm) lesions. Histological examination suggested that fibrous scarring in the spinal cord was reduced after alginate implantation in comparison to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of soft alginate hydrogel in small spinal cord lesions improved functional recovery. Possible underlying mechanisms include the mechanical stabilization of the wound, reduction of secondary damage and inhibition of fibrous scarring.
BACKGROUND:Spinal cord injury (SCI) and the consecutive devastating neurological sequelae have an enormous individual and economic impact. Implantation of functionalized hydrogels is a promising approach, because they can serve as a matrix for the regenerating tissue, carry and release bioactive molecules and various cell types. We already demonstrated that non-functionalized soft alginate hydrogel supported axonal outgrowth and protected neurons against oxidative stress in vitro. Here, we investigated the effects of such soft alginate hydrogels on locomotor recovery in small and large spinal cord lesions. METHOD: Hemimyelonectomy of 2 mm or 4 mm length was performed in rats and soft alginate hydrogel was implanted. Functional recovery of the hindlimbs was assessed in the open field [Batto Beattie Bresnahan (BBB) score] and using swimming test [Louisville Swim score (LSS)] for 140 days post injury (DPI). Reference histology was performed. RESULTS:Rats that received an alginate implant into 2 mm spinal cord lesions demonstrated significantly improved locomotor recovery compared to controls detectable already at 10 DPI. At 140 DPI, they reached higher LSS and BBB scores in swimming and open field tests, respectively. However, this beneficial effect of alginate was lacking in animals with larger (4 mm) lesions. Histological examination suggested that fibrous scarring in the spinal cord was reduced after alginate implantation in comparison to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of soft alginate hydrogel in small spinal cord lesions improved functional recovery. Possible underlying mechanisms include the mechanical stabilization of the wound, reduction of secondary damage and inhibition of fibrous scarring.
Entities:
Keywords:
Alginate hydrogel; Functional recovery; Hemiyelonectomy; Open field; Spinal cord injury; Swim test
Authors: S A Bazanovich; M Ya Yadgarov; M A Zvyagintseva; S I Ryabov; A A Grin'; V A Smirnov Journal: Bull Exp Biol Med Date: 2022-02-17 Impact factor: 0.804
Authors: Roberta Galli; Kerim H Sitoci-Ficici; Ortrud Uckermann; Robert Later; Magda Marečková; Maria Koch; Elke Leipnitz; Gabriele Schackert; Edmund Koch; Michael Gelinsky; Gerald Steiner; Matthias Kirsch Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2018-07-18 Impact factor: 4.379