Figure 7.

ADSCs have a neuroprotective effect on the spinal cord.

(A) Representative images of thoracic spinal cord lesion sizes in the different groups using Eriochrome cyanine staining (blue staining indicates white matter). The sham animal spinal cords were intact, whereas animals that had undergone SCI showed a decrease in white matter. Exercise did not appear to have an effect on tissue sparing, while ADSCs administration had a protective effect. Scale bar: 500 μm. (B) Lesion size was calculated as the percentage of white matter area (WMA) to the total cross-sectional area (TCSA). Compared with sham animals, SCI animals showed a significant loss of white matter at the lesion site (***P < 0.001). Exercise did not influence the lesion size, but ADSCs administration significantly reduced the lesion size (###P < 0.001). The results are presented as the mean ± SEM. One-way analysis of variance with Fisher’s least significant difference post hoc test was applied. ADSCs: Adipose-derived stem cells; SCI: spinal cord injury.