Publications by authors named "Bruna dos Santos Ramalho"

Peripheral nerve injuries are extremely severe and may lead to permanent disability, despite the regenerative capacity of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). To date, there is no established pharmacological therapy capable of predicting functional recovery and alleviation of trauma-related symptoms such as neuropathic pain, inflammation and weakness, which are the main targets for current therapies. In this work we provide new evidence for a therapeutic use of valproic acid (VPA) upon ischiatic nerve injury.

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Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most serious conditions of the central nervous system, causing motor and sensory deficits that lead to a significant impairment in the quality of life. Previous studies have indicated that inosine can promote regeneration after SCI. Here we investigated the effects of inosine on the behavioral and morphological recovery after a compressive injury.

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Trauma to the peripheral nervous system (PNS) results in loss of motor and sensory functions. After an injury, a complex series of events begins, allowing axonal regeneration and target reinnervation. However, this regenerative potential is limited by several factors such as age, distance from the lesion site to the target and severity of lesion.

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Despite advances in technology and rehabilitation, no effective therapies are available for patients with SCI, which remains a major medical challenge. This study compared the efficacy of 3 different doses of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) administered by intraperitoneal injection as a therapeutic strategy for compressive SCI. We used adult female C57BL/6 mice that underwent laminectomy at the T9 level, followed by spinal-cord compression for 1 min with a 30-g vascular clip.

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In spite of advances in surgical care and rehabilitation, the consequences of spinal cord injury (SCI) are still challenging. Several experimental therapeutic strategies have been studied in the SCI field, and recent advances have led to the development of therapies that may act on the inhibitory microenvironment. Assorted lineages of stem cells are considered a good treatment for SCI.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study explores the effects of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation on spinal cord injury in mice, particularly during the chronic phase, addressing ongoing challenges despite advances in treatment.
  • After injuring the mice's spinal cords and then injecting MSCs four weeks later, researchers found improved tissue preservation, fiber counts, and structural organization in the MSC-treated mice compared to control groups after eight weeks.
  • The results suggest that MSCs aid recovery not by turning into nerve cells but by releasing supportive factors, leading to better functional outcomes for the animals with spinal cord injuries even in the later stages.
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Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has attracted the attention of scientists and clinicians around the world. Basic and pre-clinical experimental studies have highlighted the positive effects of MSC treatment after spinal cord and peripheral nerve injury. These effects are believed to be due to their ability to differentiate into other cell lineages, modulate inflammatory and immunomodulatory responses, reduce cell apoptosis, secrete several neurotrophic factors and respond to tissue injury, among others.

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Article Synopsis
  • Researchers are exploring ways to improve spinal cord regeneration after injury, focusing on cell-based therapies, particularly human dental pulp cells (HDPCs).
  • In a study involving mice with spinal cord injuries, HDPCs were transplanted at different times post-injury to assess recovery effects.
  • Results indicated that HDPCs led to better tissue preservation, enhanced expression of beneficial factors, improved organization, increased myelination of axons, and functional locomotor improvements, suggesting HDPCs could be a promising treatment for spinal cord injuries.
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