Therapeutic applications of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells in Parkinson’s disease

Wang Yan; Zhao Xin-li; Zhang Jun-yan; Tan Jun

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2014.06.018

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Animal experiments have repeatedly verified that umbilical cord stem celltransplantation can improve the rotational behavior of rats with Parkinson’s disease, with lower immune rejection response. <br> OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the therapeutic effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem celltransplantation in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale. <br> METHODS:Fifteen patients with Parkinson’s disease were enrol ed, including 8 males and 7 females, aged 52-76 years. Hoehn&Yahr staging was 3-5. After informed consent was obtained from puerperae and the procedure was approved by the hospital ethics committee, ful-term maternal umbilical cord was aseptical y col ected, to culture umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. Al patients were hospitalized, and treated with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem celltransplantation via carotid artery puncture. Neurological function of patients was assessed using a comprehensive rating scale for Parkinson’s disease before and 1 month after cells transplantation. Higher score indicated more severe neurological deficits. <br> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Fifteen patients entered the result analysis. Compared with before transplantation, 15 patients showed significantly lowered scores on the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale at 1 month after transplantation (P<0.05). The improvement was mainly concentrated in the tremor and rigidity, but bradykinesia and unstable position were not improved. Graft versus host disease did not occur in al 15 cases. These findings indicate that umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem celltransplantation for treating Parkinson’s disease has obvious curative effects and significantly improves neurological functions.