Temperature-sensitive bone mesenchymal stem cells combined with mild hypothermia reduces neurological deficit in rats of severe traumatic brain injury

ABSTRACT

Background

To explore the combined influences of temperature-sensitive bone mesenchymal stem cells (tsBMSCs) and mild hypothermia (MH) on neurological function and glucose metabolism in rats with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods

SD rats were randomly divided into sham, TBI, TBI + MH, TBI + BMSCs and TBI + MH +tsBMSCs groups. Then, the brain water content, serum-specific proteins (S100β, NSE, LDH, and CK), and blood glucose at different time points were measured. Furthermore, GLUT-3 expression was detected by Western blotting, and apoptotic rate was determined by TUNEL staining.

Results

After TBI rat establishment, the brain injury resulted in significant increases in mNSS scores and brain water content, and upregulations in serum levels of S100β, NSE, LDH and CK, and blood glucose, with the elevated cell apoptotic rate in the injured cortex. However, these changes were reversed by MH alone, BMSCs alone, or combination treatment of MH and tsBMSCs in varying degrees, and the combination treatment was superior to the treatment with BMSCs or MH alone.

Conclusion

Combination therapy of tsBMSCs and MH can reduce the neuronal apoptosis in severe TBI rats, with the suppression of serum biomarkers and hyperglycemia, contributing to the recovery of neurological functions.

Abbreviations

tsBMSCs: temperature-sensitive bone mesenchymal stem cells; MH: mild hypothermia; TBI: traumatic brain injury; mNSS: modified Neurological Severity Score.

KEYWORDS:

• Mild hypothermia
• tsBMSCs
• TBI
• glucose metabolism

Availability of data and materials

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2020.1753112

Authors’ contributions

Bo Song and Xin-Xiang Wang: Designed and performed the experiments, and analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript. Hai-Yan Yang and Ling-Ting Kong: Reviewed the research and coordinated work. Hong-Yan Sun: Analyzed the data and revised the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript.

Conflicts of interest

No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.