Paraplegic rats walk after receiving stem cell therapy in a breakthrough

Paraplegic rats have walked after receiving stem cell therapy, new research reveals.

As The Daily Mail reports, after just three weeks, 42 per cent of the rodents improved their ability to walk and support their weight, a study found.

Some 75 per cent of the animals were able to respond to stimuli on their back legs after being treated, the research adds.

Stem cells differentiate into specialised cells according to where they are in the body, however, for unclear reasons, the therapy was not successful in all of the study's rats.

Nonetheless, study author Dr Shulamit Levenberg from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, said: 'Although there is still some way to go before it can be applied in humans, this research gives hope.' 

How the research was carried out 

The researchers inserted stem cells from humans' mouths into rats with a tear in the spinal cord.

The stem cells, which differentiate into specialised cells according to their environment, then secreted substances for the growth and survival of the backbones' nervous system.

The cells were implanted at various sites along the rats' spinal cords.

Proteins were also added to stabilise and support the rodents' backbones. 

Up to 75% improvement 

Results reveal, three weeks after receiving the stem-cell treatment, 42 per cent of the rats improved their ability to walk and support their weight on their hind legs.

Some 75 per cent of the rodents responded to stimuli to their back limbs and tail.

Damaged areas of their spinal cord showed some improvement, which suggests backbone healing.

Yet, for unclear reasons, not all of the rats were successfully treated, with additional research being required to uncover why only some rodents benefited.

The researchers wrote: 'This warrants further investigation to shed light on the mechanisms underlying the observed recovery, to enable improved efficacy and to define the intervention optimal for treatment of spinal cord injury.'

Dr Levenberg said: 'Although there is still some way to go before it can be applied in humans, this research gives hope.'

The findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience. 

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