Evaluation the Effects of the Platelet-rich Plasma-Derived Exosomes with and without Dexamethasone on Histological, Molecular, and Motor Skills Alteration in the Animal Model of Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Introduction: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a disabling condition leading to compromised sensory and motor function, primarily attributed to the restricted self-regeneration capability of the spinal cord. In response to this challenge, the proposal of combination therapy has emerged as a viable and promising treatment approach for the regeneration of spinal cord injuries. Methods and Materials: In this research, we employed Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)-derived exosomes containing dexamethasone (Dex) in a mouse model subjected to SCI compression. The preparation of PRP-derived exosomes loaded with Dex involved ultracentrifugation and sonication methods. Administration to the mice was carried out through intravenous injection. Results: After a four-week period, we conducted behavioral assessments to evaluate functional recovery. Various metrics, including the expression of genes associated with apoptosis and antiapoptosis, serum cytokine concentrations, and tissue sampling, underwent thorough examination. The outcomes of this investigation revealed that mice subjected to treatment with PRP-derived exosomes loaded with dexamethasone (ExoDex) displayed altered levels of TNF-α and IL-10. Additionally, there was a decrease in Bax/increase in Bcl2 expression compared to the model group. Moreover, intravenous administration of ExoDex resulted in a reduction in the size of the lesion site, vacuolation, cavity size, lymphocyte infiltration, and tissue disorganization, while also enhancing locomotor recovery. Conclusion: This study suggests that the application of ExoDex therapy has the potential to be a promising and clinically relevant method for SCI repair. Nevertheless, additional comprehensive research is essential in this field to confirm and support the findings presented in this study.