Perilesional intrathecal administration of autologous bone marrow stromal cells achieves functional improvement in pigs with chronic paraplegia.

BACKGROUND AIMS: At present, on the basis of the great number of preclinical studies and preliminary clinical trials in humans, bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) transplantation offers promise in the treatment of paraplegia. Nevertheless, there is not enough experience in humans about the best candidates for this type of cell therapy or details about the best parameters or best route of administration.

METHODS

Two adult paraplegic pigs with chronic paraplegia were treated only with perilesional intrathecal administration of 40 × 10(6) autologous BMSC suspended in autologous plasma and followed for 1 year after cell transplantation.

RESULTS

Our study showed clinical improvement, starting at 2 mo after BMSC administration and reaching stabilization at 10 mo. This was associated with recovery of previously abolished somatosensory-evoked potentials. At the end of the study, histological images suggested spinal cord regeneration.

CONCLUSIONS

Our present findings suggest the possible utility of perilesional intrathecal administration of autologous BMSC in patients with chronic paraplegia.