The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of percutaneous transplanted autologous neurogenically-induced bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (NIBM-MSCs) in paraplegic dogs without deep pain perception (DPP) secondary to external spinal trauma. Thirteen client owned dogs that had failed in improvement neurologically at least 42 days after conservative management, decompression and decompression-stabilization were included in the study. Each dog received two doses of autologous 5.0 × 106 NIBM-MSCs suspension, which were positive to 2′,3′-Cyclic-nucleotide-3′-phosphodiesterase (CNPase) and Microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2), as well as to Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and beta III tubulin. The cells were injected into the spinal cord through the hemilaminectomy or laminectomy defects percutaneously with 21 days interval for 2 times. The results were evaluated using Texas Spinal Cord Injury Scale (TSCIS), somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) and motor evoked potentials (MEP) at the admission time, cell transplantation procedures and during 2, 5, 7 and 12th months after the second cell transplantation. Improvement after cell transplantation in gait, nociception, proprioception, SEP and MEP results was observed in just 2 cases, and only gait score improvement was seen in 6 cases, and no improvement was recorded in 5 cases. All progresses were observed until 2nd month after the second cell transplantation, however, there was no improvement after this period. In conclusion, percutaneous transplantation of autologous NIBM-MSCs is a promising candidate modality for cases with spinal cord injury after spinal trauma and poor prognosis.

AIm:To investigate the effects of neurogenically-induced autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (NIBM-MSCs) in paraplegic dogs without deep pain perception (DPP) secondary to intervertebral disk disease (IVDD). mATeRIAL and meTHods: Seven dogs which could not be improved neurologically with conventional treatment modalities were included in the study. All dogs were diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging and surgically treated. Each dog received two times a suspension of autologous 5.0x10 6 NIBM-MSCs, which were positive to CNPase and MAP-2, as well as to GFAP and beta III tubulin into the spinal cord through the hemilaminectomy defect percutaneously, with a 21-day interval.ResuLTs: Two months after cell transplantation, there were no changes except for 1 gait score improvement for 1 of the cases. At the 4th month, gait score had improved 1 score in 5 cases, and one score progress was recorded in proprioception and nociception in 1 case. In eight months-followed up 4 cases were evaluated by the same parameter; gait score had improved in 3 cases, and propriception improved in 2 cases, and nociception improved in 3 cases. CoNCLusIoN:Our findings suggest that utility of autologous NIBM-MSCs for cases with poor prognosis after IVDD can be a promising approach.

Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS), also known as “dry eye syndrome”, is a common ocular disease in dogs, caused by inflammation of the lacrimal gland, resulting in decreased tear production. Efforts are being made to develop alternative therapies in order to prevent lifelong use of drugs for patients with KCS. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known to be effective in the treatment of many immune-mediated diseases in human and animal models due to their immunoregulatory properties. The aim of this study was to transplant limbal mesenchymal stem cells (LMSCs) to the ocular surface on contact lenses and to evaluate the therapeutic effects of the LMSCs by clinical examination findings. The animals were randomly divided into study and control groups. The LMSC group (n = 10) received LMSCs (at least 2×106 cells) cultured on contact lenses. The conventional treatment group (n = 10) received artificial tears, topical 0.05% Cs A, and antibiotic eye drops, 3 times a day for 4 weeks. The Schirmer test, tear break-up time, impression cytology, Rose Bengal staining, and tear osmolarity were measured in all patients. The findings of the pre-treatment, two weeks and four weeks after the treatment, were evaluated statistically. In both groups, significant improvement was present compared to the pre-treatment findings. However, there was no significant difference between the groups. KCS treatment using LMSCs produced on contact lenses is promising, with its ease of application, non-immunogenic properties and single dose administration.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of autologous neurogenically induced bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (NIBM-MSCs) in two dogs suspected to have fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy (FCEM). Both dogs were paraplegic without deep pain perception (DPP) and tentatively diagnosed by MRI. Autologous NIBM-MSCs (5 × 10 6 ) were transplanted into the lumbar subarachnoid space two times with a 21-day interval for each patient. Based on a 21-month follow-up of the treated animals, the transplantation of NIBM-MSCs seems to be promising in subjects with FCEM lacking DPP.