Objective: To explore the effect of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) transplantation on the expression of neurite outgrowth inhibitor-A (Nogo-A) after cerebral ischemia in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats.
Methods: ADSCs were harvested and purified, and then MCAO models were established in rats by the suture method. Rats were divided into sham operation group, MCAO model group and ADSCs-injected group. One day after MCAO, ADSCs were injected into the lateral ventricle of the ADSC group rats and the same does of PBS was given to model group rats. At day 4, 7 and 14 after MCAO, the rats were decapitated to detect the Nogo-A expression in the perilesional cortex by reverse transcription PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.
Results: Compared with sham group, the expression of Nogo-A was significantly up-regulated at each time point in both model group and ADSC group. Compared with model group, the expression of Nogo-A was significantly down-regulated at each time point in ADSC group.
Conclusion: ADSC transplantation could promote the recovery of neurological functions, partly by inhibiting the expression of Nogo-A in MCAO rat's brain.