IMMUNO-HEMATOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO RADIAL NERVE INJURY AND HUMAN UMBILICAL CORD-MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS (HUC-MSCS) THERAPY IN DOGS, IRAQ.

The current study was aimed to evaluate therapeutic efficacy of human umbilical cord-mesenchymal stem cells (HUC-MSCs) to repair of radial nerve injury through estimation of clinical status, serum biomarkers and hematology. A total 18 stray, male dogs of 12-18 months of age and 8-10Kg of weight were selected, examined clinically, subjected to a preparation period, and divided into 3 equal groups; 1^stG (experimental group) in which radial nerve of study animals was cut surgically and treated with HUC-MSCs; 2^ndG (positive control group) in which, radial nerve of study animals was cut, but not treated with HUC-MSCs, and the 3^rdG (negative Control group) in which radial nerve neither cut nor treated with HUC-MSCs. During 16 weeks, all study dogs were feed and let drink from the same source and received a high management care. In 1^stG, significant motive dysfunction with apparent decline in appetite, changes in sleeping habits, slight increase in temperature, shallow and rapid breathing, and slight tachycardia were showed in 1^st week. During 2^nd to 5^th weeks, there was apparent improvement in general and physical activity with the ability of 1^stG animals to extend their forelimb and standup normally, but with lameness. At 16th week, clinical status was normal with absence of forelimb muscle atrophy, lameness, and motive dysfunction. Concerning to immune-biomarkers, significant increases (P<0.05) were reported in levels of IgG and TNF-á and significant reduction (P<0.05) in IL-10 were detected at 4^th and 6th, 2^nd and 4^th and 2^nd, 4^th and 6th weeks respectively. Regarding to hematology, there were significant increases in total WBCs, lymphocytes and monocytes but not in neutrophils (P>0.05) were reported at 4^th and 6th weeks of study. In conclusion, positive outcomes achieved in this study suggesting effective role of HUC-MSCs in repairing of radial NI and offered a great promise for some disease treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]