Establishment of a non-human primate model for acute spinal cord injury

Abstract

Objective To review and learn the knowledge of acute spinal cord injury(SCI), and analyze the feasibility and advantages of establishing of a non-human primate model for acute spinal cord injury with cynomolgus macaques. Method We selected female cynomolgus macaques to establish a acute spinal cord injury model at a specific segment of the spine with spinal cord hemisection. Before and after modeling, the muscle strength score, quantitative motor activity, as well as blood biochemical and blood routine indicators of the model monkey was observed and recorded to evaluate and analyze the effectiveness of the non-human primate model for acute spinal cord injury. Result In this experiment, a acute spinal cord injury model of crab eating monkeys was established by hemisection of the thoracic 9-segment (T9) spinal cord. The group (n = 2) was aged 13–14 years old, weighing 3.2-4.2kg, all females. By observing and recording the muscle strength score and quantitative motor activity of the model monkeys, it was evaluated that establishing a acute spinal cord injury model through crab eating monkeys is effective and feasible. Conclusion Non-human primates are recognized as an effective animal model for acute spinal cord injury repair research, but there are still some unresolved challenges in terms of repeatability, reducing other complications, and experimental costs.