Injection of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles to Treat Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of local injection of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeONPs) in a rat spinal cord injury (SCI) model. Thirty-six adult male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: controls (healthy animals), sham (laminectomy), SCI (laminectomy+SCI induction), and treatment (laminectomy+SCI induction+intrathecal injection of CeONPs immediately after injury). SCI was induced using an aneurysm clip at the T12-T13 vertebral region. Motor performance and pain threshold tests were performed weekly; H&E staining and measurement of cavity sizes were performed 6 weeks after injury. The expression of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF), P44/42 MAPK, P-P44/42 MAPK, Tau, myelin-associated glycoprotein(MAG) was evaluated after 6 weeks by Western blot. The Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan locomotor scoring scales improved in animals receiving CeONPs compared with SCI animals. The cavity sizes were less in the treatment group. GCSF expression was similar in the animals receiving CeONPs compared with the SCI group but the expression of ERK1/ERK2 and phospho-ERK was lower than in the SCI group. Expression levels of Tau and MAG were significantly increased in treated animals compared to the SCI group. These data indicate that the use of CeONPs may improve motor functional recovery in SCI.

Study of nerve cell regeneration on nanofibers containing cerium oxide nanoparticles in a spinal cord injury model in rats

“…In the motor function of the left paw, it was observed that the Scaffold alone could not improve movement, but the Scaffold-CeO 2 significantly improved the left paw movement compared to the SCI and Scaffold groups, although this improvement did not reach the level of the control group. This result is consistent with the results of other studies that showed injection of cerium oxide nanoparticles has helped to improve motor function after spinal cord injury [ 53 , 54 ].…”

“…Kim et al also showed that CeONPs had an antioxidant effect in spinal cord injury and subsequently improved the functional recovery in rats after mild traumatic brain injury [ 53 ]. In last work our team also demonstrated the healing effect of soluble CeONPs on neuronal regeneration after SCI [ 54 ] but at the present study, the release of nanoparticles was continuously from the fabricated scaffold, and the novelty of this study lies in this issue. In the present study, we investigated the effect of a gelatinous poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffold containing CeONPs (Scaffold-CeO 2) implanted at the site of injury on nerve cell growth and pain relief in a SCI animal model.…”

“…Protein bands were detected by enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL). The results were quantified by Image J software [ 54 ].…”

Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Alleviate Neuropathic Pain by Modulating Macrophage Polarization in a Rat SCI Model

“…In the following week, we found the rats’ motor function significantly improved which was consistent with previous studies. 28 In addition, the mechanical PWT and thermal PWL were increased, suggesting that CONPs possess a pain-relive effect. Some recent studies have implicated the analgesia effect of CONPs in various animal models.…”

“…Some recent studies reported that nanoceria could repair the injured spinal cord and promote SCI rats’ locomotor function recovery. 16 , 28 Here, we synthesized CONPs nanoparticles using the hydrothermal method. Besides, we adjusted the base concentration and reaction temperature in hope of getting a smaller nanoceria than that described by Jong-Wan Kim et.al 17 There are mainly two reasons for doing so: first, the smaller particle size of nanoceria ensures a higher concentration of oxygen vacancy on the surface and more active biological activity; 29 second, smaller nanoceria displayed better metabolism and biosafety.…”