Objective: To investigate the effect of single neucleated cells transplantation on the neurological function and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in traumatic brain injury (TBI) rats.
Methods: TBI rats were established by hammer fall method from 30 cm height with 50 g weight. Single neucleated cells/ karyocytes from bone marrow were separated and prepared by ficoll medium, then transplanted into pericontusional tissues in the brain. Neurological function severity scores (NSS) were recorded at 1, 3, and 7 days post operation (dpo). The pericontusional tissues were harvested at 7 dpo to analyze the BDNF localization, expressional level.
Results: Single neucleated cell transplantation decreased NSS significantly, compared with TBI rats without cell implantation (P < 0.05). BDNF expression was upregulated and mainly found in neurons.
Conclusion: The present study showed the single karyocytes transplantation could improve neurological function and the mechanism is possibly linked to the BDNF expression.