High-Dose Neural Stem/Progenitor Cell Transplantation Increases Engraftment and Neuronal Distribution and Promotes Functional Recovery in Rats after Acutely Severe Spinal Cord Injury

Figure 2

High-dose NSPC transplantation significantly promoted motor functional and electrophysiological recovery in rats with complete SCI. (a) The locomotor function of the hindlimbs was assessed by the Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB); the high-dose group exhibited significantly greater motor functional recovery compared to the SCI groups at 2 weeks postgrafting. Besides, the high-dose group exhibited significantly greater motor functional recovery compared to the low-dose group after 5 weeks postgrafting (, per group, , high-dose group versus SCI group, ^#, high-dose group versus low-dose group). (b) 8 weeks postgrafting, the electrophysiological signal appeared in the high- and low-dose group but not in the control animals. (c, d) Amplitude and latency of MEP response in the high- and low-dose groups. The high-dose group showed a significantly higher MEP amplitude than the low-dose group, and the MEP latency was significantly longer in the low-dose group than in the high-dose group (, animals per group; ).

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