Figure 4

Expression of protein levels in spinal cord of rats and the hindlimb functional behaviors in SCI rats. (A) The protein expression levels, determined by Western blot analysis, in normal or injured epicenter of SCI rats at 7 days after the contusion injury. Representative blots are shown. (B) The bar graphs show the quantitative analysis of the protein expression relative to actin. Results were means ± SEM (n = 3 rats each). (C) Time course of hindlimb locomotor recovery in rats receiving saline or MSCcm after contusive injury. The time course changes of BBB in SCI rats that were administered saline or BM-MSCcm through tail vein injection. The hindlimb recovery of the animals was assessed in a double-blind manner. Locomotor recovery of SCI rats was evaluated over a 6-week period, using a 21-point scale (Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale). The results are reported as mean ± SEM. Statistical significance was evaluated using one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni’s t-test. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01.