CHSU Discovery

Stem cell treatment improves post stroke neurological outcomes: a comparative study in male and female rats.

Stroke and vascular neurology Peer reviewed publication
volume 6 issue 4 pages 519-527
12/6/2021
DOI: 10.1136/svn-2020-000834 PMID: 33741744
EISSN: 2059-8696 ISSN: 2059-8688 KBID: 4499751 LN: Nalamolu CHSU: Faculty

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Description

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The therapeutic potential of different stem cells for ischaemic stroke treatment is intriguing and somewhat controversial. Recent results from our laboratory have demonstrated the potential benefits of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in a rodent stroke model. We hypothesised that MSC treatment would effectively promote the recovery of sensory and motor function in both males and females, despite any apparent sex differences in post stroke brain injury.

METHODS

Transient focal cerebral ischaemia was induced in adult Sprague-Dawley rats by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Following the procedure, male and female rats of the untreated group were euthanised 1 day after reperfusion and their brains were used to estimate the resulting infarct volume and tissue swelling. Additional groups of stroke-induced male and female rats were treated with MSC or vehicle and were subsequently subjected to a battery of standard neurological/neurobehavioral tests (Modified Neurological Severity Score assessment, adhesive tape removal, beam walk and rotarod). The tests were administered at regular intervals (at days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14) after reperfusion to determine the time course of neurological and functional recovery after stroke.

RESULTS

The infarct volume and extent of swelling of the ischaemic brain were similar in males and females. Despite similar pathological stroke lesions, the clinical manifestations of stroke were more pronounced in males than females, as indicated by the neurological scores and other tests. MSC treatment significantly improved the recovery of sensory and motor function in both sexes, and it demonstrated efficacy in both moderate stroke (females) and severe stroke (males).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite sex differences in the severity of post stroke outcomes, MSC treatment promoted the recovery of sensory and motor function in male and female rats, suggesting that it may be a promising treatment for stroke.

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Affiliations

  1. Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, College of Medicine University of Illinois
  2. Cancer Biology and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Peoria, Illinois, USA.
  3. Health Sciences Education, College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Peoria, Illinois, USA.
  4. Neurological Surgery University of Wisconsin-Madison
  5. Neurology Barrow Neurological Institute
  6. Neurology, College of Medicine University of Illinois
  7. Neurosurgery, College of Medicine University of Illinois
  8. OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute
  9. Pediatrics College of Medicine, University of Illinois
  10. Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences California Health Sciences University

Publisher

BMJ Publishing Group (England)

Languages

English

Citations

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