Long-Term Outcome of Olfactory Ensheathing Cell Therapy for Patients with Complete Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

The neurorestorative effect of the parenchymal transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) for cord trauma remains clinically controversial. The aim of this article is to study the long-term result of OECs for patients with complete chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). One hundred and eight p...

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Main Authors: Hongyun Huang M.D., Ph.D., Haitao Xi, Lin Chen, Feng Zhang, Yancheng Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2012-01-01
Series:Cell Transplantation
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.3727/096368912X633734
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author Hongyun Huang M.D., Ph.D.
Haitao Xi
Lin Chen
Feng Zhang
Yancheng Liu
author_facet Hongyun Huang M.D., Ph.D.
Haitao Xi
Lin Chen
Feng Zhang
Yancheng Liu
author_sort Hongyun Huang M.D., Ph.D.
collection DOAJ
description The neurorestorative effect of the parenchymal transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) for cord trauma remains clinically controversial. The aim of this article is to study the long-term result of OECs for patients with complete chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). One hundred and eight patients suffered from complete chronic SCI were followed up successfully within the period of 3.47 ± 1.12 years after OEC therapy. They were divided into two groups based on the quality and quantity of their rehabilitative training: group A ( n = 79) in sufficient rehabilitation (or active movement-target enhancement-neurorehabilitation therapy, AMTENT) and group B ( n = 29) in insufficient rehabilitation. All patients were assessed by using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) standard and the International Association of Neurorestoratology Spinal Cord Injury Functional Rating Scale (IANR-SCIFRS). Thirty-one patients were evaluated by the tests of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electromyography (EMG), and paravertebral sensory evoked potential (PVSEP). We found the following. 1) According to ASIA and IANR-SCIFRS assessment for all 108 patients, averaged motor scores increased from 37.79 ± 18.45 to 41.25 ± 18.18 ( p <0.01), light touch scores from 50.32 ± 24.71 to 55.90 ± 24.46 ( p < 0.01), pin prick scores from 50.53 ± 24.92 to 54.53 ± 24.62 ( p <0.01); IANR-SCIFRS scores increased from 19.32 ± 9.98 to 23.12 ± 10.30 ( p <0.01). 2) The score changes in terms of motor, light touch, pin prick, and IANR-SCIFRS in group A were remarkably different (all p < 0.01). The score changes in group B were remarkably different in terms of motor ( p < 0.05) and IANR-SCIFRS ( p < 0.01), but not light touch or pin prick ( p > 0.05). 3) Comparing group A with group B, the increased scores in terms of motor, light touch, and pin prick were remarkably different (all p < 0.01), but not IANR-SCIFRS ( p > 0.05). 4) Fourteen of 108 patients (12.96%) became ASIA B from ASIA A; 18 of 108 (16.67%) became ASIA C from ASIA A. Nine of them (8.33%) improved their walk ability or made them rewalk by using a walker with or without assistance; 12 of 84 men (14.29%) improved their sex function. 5) MRI examinations were taken for 31 patients; there were no neoplasm, bleeding, swelling, cysts, neural tissue destruction or infection (abscess) or any other pathological changes in or around OEC transplant sites. 6) EMG examinations were done on 31 patients; 29 showed improvement and the remaining 2 had no change. PVSEP tests were performed in 31 patients; 28 showed improvements and the remaining 3 had no change. 7) No deterioration or complications were observed in our patients within the follow-up period. Our data suggest OEC therapy is safe and can improve neurological functions for patients with complete chronic SCI and ameliorate their quality of life; the AMTENT most likely plays a critical role in enhancing functional recovery after cell-based neurorestorotherapy.
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spelling doaj.art-774fbcd077d940d99fa0af4e71d2dda72022-12-22T03:44:56ZengSAGE PublishingCell Transplantation0963-68971555-38922012-01-012110.3727/096368912X633734Long-Term Outcome of Olfactory Ensheathing Cell Therapy for Patients with Complete Chronic Spinal Cord InjuryHongyun Huang M.D., Ph.D.0Haitao Xi1Lin Chen2Feng Zhang3Yancheng Liu4Division of Neurorestoratology, Yuquan Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, P.R. ChinaBeijing Hongtianji Neuroscience Academy, Beijing, P.R. ChinaBeijing Hongtianji Neuroscience Academy, Beijing, P.R. ChinaBeijing Hongtianji Neuroscience Academy, Beijing, P.R. ChinaBeijing Hongtianji Neuroscience Academy, Beijing, P.R. ChinaThe neurorestorative effect of the parenchymal transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) for cord trauma remains clinically controversial. The aim of this article is to study the long-term result of OECs for patients with complete chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). One hundred and eight patients suffered from complete chronic SCI were followed up successfully within the period of 3.47 ± 1.12 years after OEC therapy. They were divided into two groups based on the quality and quantity of their rehabilitative training: group A ( n = 79) in sufficient rehabilitation (or active movement-target enhancement-neurorehabilitation therapy, AMTENT) and group B ( n = 29) in insufficient rehabilitation. All patients were assessed by using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) standard and the International Association of Neurorestoratology Spinal Cord Injury Functional Rating Scale (IANR-SCIFRS). Thirty-one patients were evaluated by the tests of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electromyography (EMG), and paravertebral sensory evoked potential (PVSEP). We found the following. 1) According to ASIA and IANR-SCIFRS assessment for all 108 patients, averaged motor scores increased from 37.79 ± 18.45 to 41.25 ± 18.18 ( p <0.01), light touch scores from 50.32 ± 24.71 to 55.90 ± 24.46 ( p < 0.01), pin prick scores from 50.53 ± 24.92 to 54.53 ± 24.62 ( p <0.01); IANR-SCIFRS scores increased from 19.32 ± 9.98 to 23.12 ± 10.30 ( p <0.01). 2) The score changes in terms of motor, light touch, pin prick, and IANR-SCIFRS in group A were remarkably different (all p < 0.01). The score changes in group B were remarkably different in terms of motor ( p < 0.05) and IANR-SCIFRS ( p < 0.01), but not light touch or pin prick ( p > 0.05). 3) Comparing group A with group B, the increased scores in terms of motor, light touch, and pin prick were remarkably different (all p < 0.01), but not IANR-SCIFRS ( p > 0.05). 4) Fourteen of 108 patients (12.96%) became ASIA B from ASIA A; 18 of 108 (16.67%) became ASIA C from ASIA A. Nine of them (8.33%) improved their walk ability or made them rewalk by using a walker with or without assistance; 12 of 84 men (14.29%) improved their sex function. 5) MRI examinations were taken for 31 patients; there were no neoplasm, bleeding, swelling, cysts, neural tissue destruction or infection (abscess) or any other pathological changes in or around OEC transplant sites. 6) EMG examinations were done on 31 patients; 29 showed improvement and the remaining 2 had no change. PVSEP tests were performed in 31 patients; 28 showed improvements and the remaining 3 had no change. 7) No deterioration or complications were observed in our patients within the follow-up period. Our data suggest OEC therapy is safe and can improve neurological functions for patients with complete chronic SCI and ameliorate their quality of life; the AMTENT most likely plays a critical role in enhancing functional recovery after cell-based neurorestorotherapy.https://doi.org/10.3727/096368912X633734
spellingShingle Hongyun Huang M.D., Ph.D.
Haitao Xi
Lin Chen
Feng Zhang
Yancheng Liu
Long-Term Outcome of Olfactory Ensheathing Cell Therapy for Patients with Complete Chronic Spinal Cord Injury
Cell Transplantation
title Long-Term Outcome of Olfactory Ensheathing Cell Therapy for Patients with Complete Chronic Spinal Cord Injury
title_full Long-Term Outcome of Olfactory Ensheathing Cell Therapy for Patients with Complete Chronic Spinal Cord Injury
title_fullStr Long-Term Outcome of Olfactory Ensheathing Cell Therapy for Patients with Complete Chronic Spinal Cord Injury
title_full_unstemmed Long-Term Outcome of Olfactory Ensheathing Cell Therapy for Patients with Complete Chronic Spinal Cord Injury
title_short Long-Term Outcome of Olfactory Ensheathing Cell Therapy for Patients with Complete Chronic Spinal Cord Injury
title_sort long term outcome of olfactory ensheathing cell therapy for patients with complete chronic spinal cord injury
url https://doi.org/10.3727/096368912X633734
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