Effect of Neural Stem Cells Transplantation on the Paradoxical Sleep in the Rat

Introduction: Nowadays a lot of research is being done on neural stem cell (NSCs) transplantation to repair brain damage. Neural stem cells are found in the nervous system. These cells can differentiate interneurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Noradrenergic cells in the locus coeruleus (LC) play an important role in paradoxical sleep (PS). The purpose of this study was the assessment of NSCs transplantation on paradoxical sleep in the unilateral lesion of LC. Methods: Forty adult male Wistar rats (225-250 gr), were categorized into four groups (Control, Lesion, experimental 1 (intravenous transplantation of NSCs), and experimental 2 (intravenous transplantation of NACs). NSCs were obtained from the subventricular zone (SVZ) of newborn rat brains. NSCs were differentiated into NACs in neurobasal medium, B-27, GDNF (30 ng/ ml) and BDNF (50 ng/ ml) for 5 days. We used 3,000,000 cells for cell transplantation. The animals received unilateral lesion of LC by injection of 6_hydroxydopamine. For paradoxical sleep recording, 2EMG and 3 EEG electrodes were placed in the neck and skull muscles, respectively. Results: In this study Tyrosine Hydroxylase (TH) was detected in NACs. A significant increase in paradoxical sleep was seen in the lesion group in comparison with the control group. After NSCs and NACs transplantation, a significant decrease in PS was seen in experimental groups in comparison with the lesion group. Conclusion: The results show that NSCs and NACs transplantation improve PS after unilateral lesion of LC.