Objective To discuss the feasibility of treating the brain ischemic stroke by the co-transplantation of the neural stem cells(NSCs) and the endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs). Methods The original biomedical articles concerned with the treatment of the brain ischemic therapy by the use of the NSCs and the EPCs were extensively reviewed as well as retrieved and analyzed. Results The review revealed that the NSCs and the EPCs could migrate to the injured area due to brain ischemic stroke, the environment of the local microcirculation could induce the neurogenesis and the vasculogenesis to repair the injury, and the neurogenesis and vasculogenesis could promote each other. Conclusion The co-transplantation of the NSCs and the EPCscan represent a new promising strategy formore effectively solving the two difficult problems of the neural cell loss andthe vascular obstruction caused by the brain ischemic stroke.
Objective To establish and evaluate a hydrocephalus model in dogs. Methods Twelve healthy adult male mongrel dogs (weight, 10-15 kg) were randomly divided into the control group (n=6) and the experimental group (n=6). All the dogs were given CT and neurological examination to exclude congenital ventricular enlargement and neurological abnormity before they received hydrocephalus induction. Surgical procedures included the exposing of the foramen magnum area, the opening of the atlantooccipita anadesma, and the injecting of silicone oil (0.3 ml/kg) into the fourth ventricle through a silicone tube. Normal saline was injected in the control group. The Tarlov neurological fitness assessment and the Evan’s ratio were used to evaluatethe degree of hydrocephalus at 3, 14 and 56 days after operation. Results In the experimental group, the dogs were dull and unsteady in walking,and they drank and ate less. The lateral ventricle began to expand 3 days afteroperation, and then the temple horn of the lateral ventricle and the third ventricle were also affected 14 days after operation. The ventricles were enlarged progressively after operation. The Tarlov scores measured at 3, 14 and 56 days afteroperation had a significant difference at the same time point between the control group(5.83±0.75，6.50±0.55，6.00±0.63) and the experimental group (4.00±0.89，4.83±1.17，4.50±1.05，P＜0.01), but had no significant difference within the same group at different time points (P＞0.05). The Evan’s ratios measured at 3, 14 and 56 days after operation were 0.33±0.04,0.39±006，0.44±0.03，respectively,in the experimental group; and were 0.27±0.06，0.25±0.09, 0.26±0.05,respectively,in the control group. There was a significant difference atthe same time point between the two groups, and at different time points within the experimental group (P＜0.05).Conclusion The dog model of hydrocephalus induced by the injecting of silicone oil into the fourth ventricle has a highsuccess rate, and the model is appropriate for the studies on diagnosis and therapy of hydrocephalus.