Reviving matrix for nerve reconstruction in rat model of acute and chronic complete spinal cord injury

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the innovative antigliotic guiding regenerative gel (AGRG) as reviving matrix for reconnection of spinal cord defect in rat models of complete acute and chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). In acute SCI, a 2 mm segment of the spinal cord (SC) was removed at Th7-Th8. Then AGRG was injected to the gap or left untreated. In chronic SCI, a 1 mm segment of the spinal cord (SC) was removed at Th7-Th8. One month later, the injured area was cleaned from connective and scar tissue, creating a gap of 2–3 mm. Then, AGRG was injected to the gap or left untreated. Functional, electrophysiological, histological and immunohistochemical assessments were performed. In acute SCI, at week 24, 75% of AGRG group showed a somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) signal. Appearance of myelin basic protein (MBP) was observed in the injured area in the AGRG group (p < 0.1), compared to the untreated group. In chronic SCI, 24 weeks after 2nd surgery, appearance of MBP, indicating presence of myelinated axons, was observed in AGRG group, compared to the untreated group (p < 0.01). These preliminary results suggest that AGRG can serve as a vital bridging station inducing regeneration of injured SC in acute and chronic cases of paraplegia.