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IntroductionSpinal cord injury (SCI) can cause paralysis, for which effective therapeutic strategies have not been developed yet. The only accepted strategy for patients is rehabilitation (RB), although this does not allow complete recovery of lost functions, which makes it necessary to combine it with strategies such as plasma-synthesized polypyrrole/iodine (PPy/I), a biopolymer with different physicochemical properties than PPy synthesized by conventional methods. After SCI in rats, PPy/I promotes functional recovery. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to increase the beneficial effects of both strategies and identify which genes activate PPy/I when applied alone or in combination with a mixed scheme of RB by swimming and enriched environment (SW/EE) in rats with SCI.MethodsMicroarray analysis was performed to identify mechanisms of action underlying the effects of PPy/I and PPy/I+SW/EE on motor function recovery as evaluated by the BBB scale.ResultsResults showed robust upregulation by PPy/I in genes related to the developmental process, biogenesis, synapse, and synaptic vesicle trafficking. In addition, PPy/I+SW/EE increased the expression of genes related to proliferation, biogenesis, cell development, morphogenesis, cell differentiation, neurogenesis, neuron development, and synapse formation processes. Immunofluorescence analysis showed the expression of β-III tubulin in all groups, a decreased expression of caspase-3 in the PPy/I group and GFAP in the PPy/I+SW/EE group (p < 0.05). Better preservation of nerve tissue was observed in PPy/I and PPy/SW/EE groups (p < 0.05). In the BBB scale, the control group scored 1.72 ± 0.41, animals with PPy/I treatment scored 4.23 ± 0.33, and those with PPy/I+SW/EE scored 9.13 ± 0.43 1 month after follow-up.ConclusionThus, PPy/I+SW/EE could represent a therapeutic alternative for motor function recovery after SCI.

Este documento describe brevemente el origen y objetivos del Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares (ININ), así como un panorama general de sus actividades dedicadas al avance de la nanociencia y nanotecnología (NyN), enmarcadas en las líneas de investigación institucionales a través del desarrollo de diversos proyectos. Se incluyen las líneas de investigación, contribuciones, patentes y principales logros en este campo obtenidos a través de los años. También se presenta la infraestructura con que se cuenta para llevar a cabo las investigaciones sobre nanomateriales y sus aplicaciones orientadas a áreas de energía, salud y medio ambiente. Se enfatiza la importancia del trabajo de colaboración nacional e internacional y de la formación de recursos humanos. Finalmente, se presentan las perspectivas de desarrollo en esta área en nuestra Institución.