Objective To investigate the neuroprotection of delayed treatment of thoracic acute spinal cord injury with recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) in rat model of compressive injury. Methods Sixteen adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: control group (compressive injury group) and experimental group (rhEPO group), In the compressive injury group,the animals recived 0.9% saline treatment at 2 h, day 1 and day 3 after the injury, while in the rhEPO group, rhEPO (3 000 U/kg) was given to rats at 2 h, day 1 and day 3 after the injury. All the rats were observed in 4 days after the injury. The primary outcomes were evaluated by BBB scale, apoptotic index, inflammatory index and electron microscopy. Results Delayed treatment of thoracic acute spinal cord injury with rhEPO could reduce apoptosis, regulate inflammation, improve motor function and promote regeneration of the spinal cord. Conclusion Our study suggests that delayed treatment of thoracic spinal cord compressive injury with rhEPO could exert neuroprotection.

BACKGROUND:Percutaneous kyphoplasty for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures has gained good clinical results and it is characterized as smal trauma, less bleeding and very low rate of complications. The vast majority of elderly patients can tolerate it, but this method cannot prevent fracture replase in the elderly. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate clinical outcomes of percutaneous kyphoplasty combined with anti-osteoporosis drug for the treatment of acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures METHODS:According to strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, 137 patients, including 26 males and 111 females, mean age of (75.55±6.96) years, with a total of 198 acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures treated by kyphoplasty that involves injection of polymethyl methacrylate cement under radiologic control into a treated vertebral body were conducted in this study. Al patients were asked to take anti-osteoporosis drugs for 3 post-treatment months. The primary outcomes were visual analogue scale, ertebral restoring rate, Oswestry disability index, Cobb angle at different time (pre-operation, 1 week and 3 months after operation). In addition, the rate of complications and the replase rate of vertebral compression fractures after operation were recorded. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There were significant differences in the mean visual analog scale scores, vertebral restoring rate, Oswestry disability index, Cobb angle at pre-procedure and post-procedure (at 1 week and 3 months) (P<0.001). In addition, the rate of postoperative complications was 0.7%and there were no vertebral compression fractures during 3-month fol ow-up period. Our study suggests that percutaneous kyphoplasty combined with anti-osteoporosis drug for the treatment of acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures can gain good clinical results.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation in repair of single segment of thoracolumbar fracture can overcome quadrilateral effect, get better biomechanical properties, meanwhile, it also can provide three-point fixation, reduce suspension effect, and reduce the formation of kyphosis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy and incidence of complications of the percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation for treatment of single segment thoracolumbar fractures. METHODS:Totaly 36 patients with single segment thoracolumbar fractures treated by percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation were enroled. A total of 36 vertebral bodies were treated: T11=5, T12=8, L1=17, L2=6. The visual analog scale scores before treatment and at 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment, the Oswestry disability indexes before treatment, at the first week and at the 12th month after treatment, the Cobb angle before treatment, the first day and at the 12th month after treatment were compared and observed. The incidence of complications was recorded. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The visual analog scale scores at 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment was significantly lower than those before treatment (P < 0.001). The Oswestry disability indexes before treatment, at the first week and at the 12th month after treatment were significantly lower those that before treatment (P < 0.001).The Cobb angle before treatment, at the first day and at the 12th month after treatment was significantly smaler than that before treatment (P < 0.001). Only three (8%) patients had complications, including pedicle screw penetrating pedicle into the spinal canal, pedicle screws loosing and the infection in puncture site. These results suggest that percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation for treatment of single segment thoracolumbar fractures can correct kyphosis, improve the thoracolumbar motion, quickly relieve patient’s back pain, and the incidence of complications is low.

BACKGROUND: It is stil controversial about whether percutaneous vertebroplasty can be as an option for treatment of non-osteoporotic single-segmental vertebral traumatic compression fractures. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of percutaneous vertebroplasty in repair of non-osteoporotic single-segmental vertebral traumatic compression fractures. METHODS: Total y 20 patients who underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty in repair of non-osteoporotic single-segmental vertebral traumatic compression fractures between March 2010 and January 2013 were col ected. The variation of visual analog scale scores and the Oswestry disability index scores of patients was observed before and after the repair. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The visual analog scale scores and the Oswestry disability index scores of patients were significantly reduced after repair compared with those before repair, moreover, the visual analog scale scores and the Oswestry disability index scores of patients at the 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after repair were similar. (2) Al patients had no adverse effects and complications. (3) These results suggest that percutaneous vertebroplasty in repair of non-osteoporotic single-segmental vertebral traumatic compression fractures quickly relieves back pain and improves the actives of thoracolumbar segments.

Objective To construct tissue engineering nucleus pulposus by culture of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs)-nucleus pulposus acellular matrix scaffold (NPAMS)complexes (rBMSCs-NPAMS).Methods Several NPAMS were prepared,and rBMSCs was seeded into NPAMS.The scaffolds and complex were detected by general observation,HE stai-ning,immunohistochemical,qRT-PCR,scanning electron microscopy.Results The scanning electron microscopy showed the seed cell in nucleus pulposus ECM-derived scaffold could adhesion and growth.The cell attachment and proliferation were observed by HE staining.Immunohistochemical examination with typeⅡ collagen showed positive results.qRT-PCR revealed the time-depend-ent of the mRNA expression of collagen Ⅱ,and which was smaller than positive control(P<0.01).The relative expression of Ag-grecan mRNA grew in a time dependent fashion,which was still lower than positive control(P<0.01).Scaffolds and normal nucle-us pulposus had no statistical significance of the compression load under the same displacement of the compression(P>0.05).Con-clusion Natural nucleus pulposus acellular matrix scaffold composite allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can be suc-cessfully built into tissue engineering nucleus pulposus.