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Cerebellar ataxia (CA) is a form of ataxia that adversely affects the cerebellum. Cell replacement therapy (CRT) has been considered as a potential treatment for neurological disorders. In this report, we investigated the neuro-restorative effects of human chorionic stem cells (HCSCs) transplantation on rat model of CA induced by 3-acetylpyridine (3-AP). In this regard, HCSCs were isolated and phenotypically determined. Next, a single injection of 3-AP was administered for ataxia induction, and bilateral HCSCs implantation was conducted 3 days after 3-AP injection, followed by expression analysis of a number of apoptotic, autophagic and inflammatory genes as well as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level, along with assessment of cerebellar neurodegeneration, motor coordination and muscle activity. The findings revealed that grafting of HCSCs in 3-AP model of ataxia decreased the expression levels of several inflammatory, autophagic and apoptotic genes and provoked the up-regulation of VEGF in the cerebellar region, prevented the degeneration of Purkinje cells caused by 3-AP toxicity and ameliorated motor coordination and muscle function. In conclusion, these data indicate in vivo efficacy of HCSCs in the reestablishment of motor skills and reversal of CA.

Background: Cerebellar ataxias comprise a group of terminal illnesses with ataxia as the main symptom. Curcumin as a yellow polyphenol was extracted from the rhizome ofCurcuma longa. Owing to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic and anti-tumor features, curcumin is considered as a potential therapeutic agent., Aim: In this study, we aim to investigate the neuroprotective effects of oral administration of curcumin on a rat model of cerebellar ataxia induced by neurotoxin 3-acetylpyridine., Methods: The animals were randomly separated into three groups (control, 3-acetylpyridine, and curcumin + 3-acetylpyridine). Next, motor performance and muscle electromyography activity were assessed. Then, in the molecular part of the study, the anti-apoptotic role of curcumin in cerebellar ataxia and its relationship to protection of Purkinje cells were investigated., Results: Curcumin treatment improved motor coordination and muscular activity, reduced cleaved caspase-3, and increased glutathione level in 3-AP-lesioned rats as well as total volumes of cerebellar granular and molecular layers., Conclusion: the present study implies that curcumin might have neuroprotective effects to counteract neurotoxicity of 3-AP-induced ataxia., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Cerebellar ataxias (CA) include a range of neurodegenerative disorders hallmarked by deterioration of the cerebellum. Cell replacement therapy (CRT) offers a potential remedy for the diseases associated with the central nervous system (CNS). This study was designed to assess the neurorestorative/protective effects of dental pulp stem cell (DPSC) implantation on a rat model of CA induced by 3-acetylpyridine (3-AP) as a neurotoxin. To begin, human DPSCs were extracted, cultured and phenotypically characterized. Then, experimental ataxia was induced in 20 male adult rats by a single injection of 3-AP and bilateral DPSC transplantation was performed 3 days after 3-AP administration, followed by stereological analysis of cerebellar layers along with assessment of motor skills and inflammatory response. The findings showed that transplantation of DPSCs in a 3-AP model of ataxia ameliorated motor coordination and muscle activity, increased cerebellar volumes of molecular and granular layers plus white matter, reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines and thwarted the degeneration of Purkinje cells against 3-AP toxicity. Taken together, human DPSCs could be considered as a suitable candidate for CRT-based therapies with a specific focus on CA.

Cerebellar ataxia (CA) is regarded as a miscellaneous cluster of brain disorders related to the cerebellum. Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound. Previous reports suggest that resveratrol confers neuroprotection in various animal models of brain damage. Indeed, we considered it invaluable to investigate whether a treatment with resveratrol has a therapeutic role against CA induced by 3-acetylpyridine (3-AP) in rats. In addition, no investigation has examined neuroprotective effect of resveratrol in rat model of CA. Initially, 3-AP administration generated CA rat models followed by intraperitoneal injection with resveratrol. Then, motor performance and muscle electromyography (EMG) activity were assessed. Moreover, the anti-apoptotic role of resveratrol in CA and its relationship to protection of Purkinje cells were explored. According to what we have found, resveratrol administration improved the muscle activity and movement coordination in 3-AP-lesioned rats. Also under resveratrol treatment, the total number of the Purkinje neurons increased whereas a reduction in apoptotic bodies was observed. In conclusion, post-treatment with resveratrol evidently ameliorated motor performance as well as muscle activity accompanied by a protection of Purkinje cells in ataxic rats.