The change of AIS grade between the first examination and 3 months after onset is shown in Table 27.2. In the analysis of total cases, AIS grade improved at least one step in 11 of 19 (57.9 %) patients in the G-CSF group and in 9 of 26 (34.6 %) patients in the control group (Table 27.3). In cases of incomplete paralysis (AIS grade at first examination: B, C, or D), AIS grade improved at least one step in 11 of 18 (61.1 %) patients in the G-CSF group and in 6 of 15 (31.6 %) patients in the control group (Table 27.3). Furthermore, when we restricted the subjects to incomplete paralysis cases with severe and moderate symptoms (AIS grade at first examination: B or C), AIS grade improved at least one step in all 7 patients in the G-CSF group and in 3 of 7 (42.9 %) patients in the control group (P < 0.05) (Table 27.3).

In the analysis of total cases, the ASIA motor score at the first examination was 61.6 ± 27.3 in the G-CSF group and 51.3 ± 36.6 in the control group; thus, scores were higher in the G-CSF group, although this difference was not statistically significant (Table 27.4). At 1 week after onset, the improvement in motor score was greater in the G-CSF group (increased points: 13.6 ± 11.3) than in the control group (increased points: 2.69 ± 7.9) (P < 0.01). Still greater improvement in scores was observed at the three-month follow-up in the G-CSF group (increased points: 26.1 ± 18.9) compared to the control group (increased points: 12.2 ± 14.7) (P < 0.01) (Table 27.4).

In cases of incomplete paralysis (AIS grade at first examination: B, C, or D), the ASIA motor score at the first examination was 63.6 ± 26.8 in the G-CSF group and 65.0 ± 32.6 in the control group; the difference between groups was not statistically significant (Table 27.5). At 1 week after onset, greater improvement in motor score was observed in the G-CSF group (increased points: 13.9 ± 11.6) than in the control group (increased points: 3.58 ± 9.0) (P < 0.01). The improvement was still observed at the three-month follow-up in the G-CSF group (increased points: 27.1 ± 18.9) compared with the control group (increased points: 15.1 ± 15.9) (P < 0.05) (Table 27.5).

In the G-CSF group, white blood cell (WBC) counts immediately before G-CSF administration averaged 9.55 ± 3.58 (×10³/mm³). During the administration, WBC counts increased to 34.2 ± 10.9 (×10³/mm³), ranging from 12.4 to 56.9 (×10³/mm³) (Table 27.6). G-CSF mobilized cells of the neutrophil lineage, while lymphocytes were unaffected (Table 27.6). G-CSF also increased the level of circulating monocytes and basophils. There was no significant change in inflammation during G-CSF administration, as indicated by C-reactive protein levels (Table 27.6).