Lipoic acid and bone marrow derived cells therapy induce angiogenesis and cell proliferation after focal brain injury

Abstract

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury is a main cause of disability and death in developed countries, above all among children and adolescents. The intrinsic inability of the central nervous system to efficiently repair traumatic injuries renders transplantation of bone marrow-derived cells (BMDC) a promising approach towards repair of brain lesions. On the other hand, many studies have reported the beneficial effect of Lipoic acid (LA), a potent antioxidant promoting cell survival, angiogenesis and neuroregeneration. Methods: In this study, the cortex of adult mice was cryo-injured in order to mimic local traumatic brain injury. Vehicle or freshly prepared BMDC were grafted in the cerebral penumbra area 24 hours after unilateral local injury alone or combined with intra-peritoneal LA administration as a new regenerative strategy. Results: Differences were found in the process of cell proliferation, angiogenesis and glial scar formation after local injury depending of the applied treatment, either LA or BMDC alone or in combination. Conclusion: The data presented here suggest that transplantation of BMDC is a good alternative and valid strategy to treat a focal brain injury when LA could not be prescribed due to its non-desired secondary effects