Abstract Purpose: To investigate the therapeutic potential of human immature dental pulp stem cells in the treatment of chronic spinal cord injury in dogs. Methods: Three dogs of different breeds with chronic SCI were presented as animal clinical cases. Human immature dental pulp stem cells were injected at three points into the spinal cord, and the animals were evaluated by limb function and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pre and post-operative. Results: There was significant improvement from the limb function evaluated by Olby Scale, though it was not supported by the imaging data provided by MRI and clinical sign and evaluation. Conclusion: Human dental pulp stem cell therapy presents promising clinical results in dogs with chronic spinal cord injuries, if used in association with physical therapy.

The study of stem cells has evolved rapidly in recent decades. The importance is given to the concept that these cells are potentially able to become any cell type and have the power of self-renewal throughout the life of the organism. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be isolated from various organs of the body such as bone marrow, adipose tissue, synovium, muscle and dermis, deciduous teeth, umbilical cord, placenta, liver, spleen and thymus. After their isolation in vitro, mesenchymal stem cells have the capacity to differentiate into various mesenchymal lineages and various tissues after the use of appropriate cultures. Studies have reported that mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue have the potential to differentiate themselves, like the cells commonly studied bone marrow. Adipose tissue is attractive due to its easy access, rapid expansion in vitro and only one collects the large amount of tissue. This review intends to show the protocols for isolation, cell culture and means of commercial cellular differentiation most widely used with emphasis on adipose tissue.