Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) as a crippling disability causes tissue degeneration via neuron loss and fiber disruption. Some researchers have tried to reverse or minimize these changes. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a biological product derived from peripheral blood containing a variety of growth factors. PRP has been extensively used in regenerative medicine. On the other hand, via secreting neuroprotective growth factors, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown a promising potential in repairing central nervous system deficits. This study investigated the therapeutic effect of the combined use of MSCs and PRP in a rat model of SCI. We used real time-PCR method for evaluation of Bcl-2, Bax and caspase 3 expressions, TUNEL test for apoptotic cell death assessment, and neurofilament NF200 immunohistochemistry for examination of axonal regeneration. The results showed that co-treatment with MSCs and PRP efficiently alleviated the evaluated categories. Significant differences were observed in expression of Bcl-2 and caspase3, but not Bax, apoptotic index and the number of NF200 positive axons (for all P </= 0.01) between co-treatment animals compared with those treated with only MSCs or PRP. In conclusion, this study showed that combination of MSCs and PRP synergistically promotes their therapeutic effects in the SCI.