Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2025
Activity-based Training on a Treadmill with Spinal Cord Injured Wistar Rats
Published on: January 16, 2019
Effects of Whole-Body Vibration and Manually Assisted Locomotor Therapy on Neurotrophin-3 Expression and
Diana Schaufler1,2, Maria Eleni Manthou2,3, Paschalis Theotokis3,4
1Department I of Internal Medicine, Lung Cancer Group Cologne, University Hospital Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany.
Abstract:
Microglial cells play an important role in neuroinflammation and secondary damages after spinal cord injury (SCI). Progressive microglia/macrophage inflammation along the entire spinal axis follows SCI, and various factors may determine the microglial activation profile. Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) is known to control the survival of neurons, the function of synapses, and the release of neurotransmitters, while also stimulating axon plasticity and growth. We examined the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) and forms of assisted locomotor therapy, such as passive flexion-extension (PFE) therapy, at the neuronal level after SCI, with a focus on changes in NT-3 expression and on microglia/macrophage reaction, as they play a major role in the reconstitution of CNS integrity after injury and they may critically account for the observed structural and functional benefits of physical therapy. More specifically, the WBV therapy resulted in the best overall functional recovery when initiated at day 14, while inducing a decrease in Iba1 and the highest increase in NT-3. Therefore, the WBV therapy at the 14th day appeared to be superior to the PFE therapy in terms of recovery. Functional deficits and subsequent rehabilitation depend heavily upon the inflammatory processes occurring caudally to the injury site; thus, we propose that increased expression of NT-3, especially in the dorsal horn, could potentially be the mediator of this favorable outcome.
Insights
Whole-body vibration (WBV) therapy initiated 14 days post-spinal cord injury (SCI) promoted functional recovery by increasing neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and decreasing microglial activation, suggesting WBV as a superior rehabilitation strategy.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Regenerative Medicine
- Spinal Cord Injury Research
Background:
- Microglia/macrophages are crucial in neuroinflammation and secondary damage following spinal cord injury (SCI).
- Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) supports neuronal survival, synaptic function, and axon plasticity, making it a target for SCI recovery.
- Physical therapies like whole-body vibration (WBV) and passive flexion-extension (PFE) may influence these cellular and molecular responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of WBV and PFE therapies on neuronal and glial responses after SCI.
- To specifically examine changes in NT-3 expression and microglia/macrophage activation profiles.
- To determine the efficacy of WBV versus PFE in promoting functional recovery post-SCI.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of functional recovery in SCI models subjected to WBV or PFE therapy.
- Assessment of NT-3 expression levels, particularly in the dorsal horn.
- Analysis of microglia/macrophage activation markers, such as Iba1, following different therapeutic interventions.
Main Results:
- WBV therapy, initiated 14 days post-SCI, yielded the best overall functional recovery compared to PFE.
- WBV treatment led to a significant decrease in Iba1 expression (a marker of microglia/macrophage activation).
- WBV therapy induced the highest increase in NT-3 expression, especially in the dorsal horn.
Conclusions:
- WBV therapy initiated at day 14 post-SCI is superior to PFE for functional recovery.
- Increased NT-3 expression, potentially mediated by WBV, may be a key factor in the observed neuroprotective and regenerative effects.
- Targeting microglial/macrophage inflammatory responses and promoting NT-3 expression are promising strategies for SCI rehabilitation.
