Study Of The Effect On NSC Transplantation After TMCAO In Rats

Objective-To study the effects of neural stem cells (NSCs )transplantation on the promotion of functional recovery after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) in rats.Methods-To isolate , culture and passage NSCs from embryonic rat brain, then transplant them into ischemic rat brains.The rats were devided into 3 groups: experiment group (n=10) , sham-operated group(n=10) and sham-grafted group (n=10).About 6 111 of NSC suspension(8 xlO5) prelabeled with BrdU were implantated into the lesioned hemisphere of experiment group and sham-operated group. The sham-grafted group received equivalent volumes of saline. Three groups were compared in behavioral tests and magnetic resonance image performance within 3 months after transplantation. The pathologic examination also was performed after 3 months.Results-The cultured NSCs showed the expression of Nestin antigen and were able to differentiate into neurons and astrocytes in vitro.There were no significant differences between the values ofbehavioral tests of two groups (experiment group and sham-grafted group) 1 and 2 months after transplantation, but the values of experiment group were significant higher than the other 3 months after transplantation.The pathology proved that there were BrdU positive cells in the slides of transplanted groups, and the cells could differentiate into astrocytes and neurons.Conclusions-NSCs can be isolated,cultured and passaged in vitro. Transplanted NSCs can survive in the host brain and differentiate into astrocytes and neurons. NSC transplantation can improve the neurological function of rats after MCAO.