(c) flickr & jpctalbot
重症の脊髄損傷を負った犬が，鼻の粘膜にある特殊な細胞を使った治療で歩けるようになった。この細胞，嗅神経鞘細胞（OEC）は，神経細胞の一部を再生する能力があることが動物実験で示されており，脊髄損傷に対する治療効果について飼い犬を対象とした研究が行われた。同研究では，脊髄損傷のため歩く際に後ろ足を使えなくなった犬34匹を2群に分け，1群の損傷箇所に同一の犬の鼻に由来するOECを注射した。すると，OECの注射を受けなかった群と比べて大きく改善が見られ，麻痺していた後ろ足を前足と協調させて動かせるようになった。臨床では薬剤と理学療法との併用で使える可能性があるという。（吉田素子）
First Randomised Controlled Trial to Show Spinal Cord Regeneration in Dogs
Researchers have shown it is possible to restore co-ordinated limb movement in dogs with severe spinal cord injury (SCI).
In a collaboration between the University’s Veterinary School and MRC’s Regenerative Medicine Centre, scientists used a unique type of cell to regenerate the damaged part of the dogs’ spines. The researchers are cautiously optimistic that the work could have a future role in the treatment of human patients with similar injuries if used alongside other treatments.
Scientists have been aware for over a decade that olfactory ensheathing cells (OEC) might be useful in treating the damaged spinal cord because of their unique properties. The cells have the ability to support nerve fibre growth that maintains a pathway between the nose and the brain.
Previous research using laboratory animals has already revealed that OECs can aid regeneration of the parts of nerve cells that transmit signals (axons) so as to form a ‘bridge’ between damaged and undamaged spinal cord tissue. A Phase 1 trial in human patients with SCI established that the procedure is safe.
The study, published in the latest issue of the neurology journal Brain, is the first double-blinded randomised controlled trial to test the effectiveness of these transplants to improve function in ‘real-life’ spinal cord injury. The trial was performed on animals that had spontaneous and accidental injury rather than in the controlled environment of a laboratory, and some time after the injury occurred.
［単語和訳］
Randomised Controlled Trial：無作為化対照試験 Spinal Cord：脊髄 Regeneration：再生
Researchers：研究者 co-ordinated limb movement：四肢の協調運動 spinal cord injury：脊髄損傷
collaboration：共同研究 Veterinary School：獣医学部 MRC：Medical Research Council（医学研究審議会）の略 Regenerative Medicine：再生医療 cell：細胞 regenerate：～を再生する spines：脊椎 cautiously：慎重に optimistic：楽観的な alongside：～と一緒に
olfactory ensheathing cells：嗅神経鞘細胞 unique properties ：固有の性質 nerve fibre：神経線維 pathway：経路 brain：脳
laboratory animals：実験動物 nerve cells：神経細胞 transmit：～を伝達する axons：軸索 so as to：～となるように undamaged：未損傷の tissue：組織 Phase 1 trial：第I相試験
neurology：神経学 double-blinded randomised controlled trial：無作為化二重盲検対照試験 effectiveness：有効性 transplants：移植片 real-life：実際の spontaneous：自発的な accidental：偶発的な laboratory：実験室
