Autologous Transplantation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells to Treat Acute Spinal Cord Injury: Evaluation of Clinical Signs, Mental Signs, and Quality of Life

Nguyen Le Bao  Tien; Nguyen Dinh  Hoa; Vo Van  Thanh; Nguyen Van Thach; Vo Truong Nhu  Ngoc; Thien Chu  Dinh; Thuy Nguyen Thi Phuong; Phung Lam  Toi; Dinh Toi Chu

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2019.843

Authors

Nguyen Le Bao Tien Institute of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Viet Duc Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
Nguyen Dinh Hoa Institute of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Viet Duc Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
Vo Van Thanh Institute of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Viet Duc Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
Nguyen Van Thach Department of Surgery, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
Vo Truong Nhu Ngoc School of Odonto Stomatology, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
Thien Chu Dinh Institute for Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Danang, Vietnam
Thuy Nguyen Thi Phuong Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
Phung Lam Toi Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Dinh Toi Chu Faculty of Biology, Hanoi National University of Education, Hanoi, Vietnam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2019.843

Keywords:

Spinal cord injury, Adipose-derived stem cells, Safety, Feasibility, Quality of life

Abstract

BACKGROUD: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage that can cause a temporary or permanent change in spinal cord functions

AIM: This work evaluates clinical signs, mental signs, and quality of life (QoL) after autologous adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) transplantation to treat acute spinal cord injury (SCI).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, 47 SCI patients were recruited and divided into two groups: intervention and control. ADSCs were isolated and cultured under the cell culture quality control procedure. All patients in both groups underwent neurosurgery with or without ADSC transplantation. The recovery regarding neurological muscle, QoL, neurogenic bladder, and mental improvement was assessed after transplantation.

RESULTS: All patients had improved in terms of motor function, bladder function, and daily living. No patients reported any side effect. MRI imaging showed significant changes in the lesion length of the spinal canal and the thickening of the spinal cord. Mental improvement was highest at six months after transplantation and lowest at one month after transplantation. The proportion of patients whose quality of life improved after treatment was 100%, while 80% of patients were satisfied with treatment outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: Thus, our data suggested that ADSCs transplantation was safe and effective for the treatment of SCI patients. Neurological muscle and neurogenic bladder were improved significantly after transplantation.