Epineural adipose‐derived stem cell injection in a sciatic rodent model

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim was to evaluate the regenerative effect of epineural injection of rat ASCs (rASCs) in three different settings of acute and chronic compression in a rat sciatic nerve model.MethodsAcute compression (60 s) with a vessel clamp over a distance of 1 mm (group 1) or 10 mm (group 2), as well as chronic compression with a permanent remaining, nonabsorbable polymeric clip over a distance of 1 mm (group 3) was performed. Depending on the group, either 5 × 106 rASCs or the same volume (25 μl) of culture medium (CM) was injected with a 30G needle in the epineurium at the time of compression. Outcome measures were functional gait evaluations, imaging analysis, histomorphometric analyses, and muscle weight.ResultsThe rats in group 2 had a better function than those with group 1 at one and especially at 2 weeks. After 4 weeks however, almost all rats were close to a normal function. There was a similar Muscle Weight Ratio (MWR) after 2 weeks in all groups, whereas after 4 weeks, the MWR in group 3 was lower compared with group 1 and 2. Histomorphometric analysis showed a better myelination in group 1 & 2 compared to group 3 after 4 weeks. ASCs have a beneficial effect on myelin thickness (G‐Ratio).ConclusionsWe successfully evaluated the regenerative effect of epineural injection of rASCs in three different settings of acute and chronic compression. However, there were no significant differences in outcomes between the ASC‐treated groups and control groups.

Adipose Tissue Uses in Peripheral Nerve Surgery

“…Neurapraxia is defined by focal demyelination in the absence of axonal or connective tissue damage and clinically presents as paresthesia and numbness [ 18 ]. Chronic nerve compression has worse outcomes compared to acute nerve compression at 4 weeks when both groups are treated with ADSCs [ 19 ].…”