Role of stem cells-based in facial nerve reanimation: A meta-analysis of histological and neurophysiological outcomes

Abstract

BACKGROUND Treatments involving stem cell (SC) usage represent novel and potentially interesting alternatives in facial nerve reanimation. Current literature includes the use of SC in animal model studies to promote graft survival by enhancing nerve fiber growth, spreading, myelinization, in addition to limiting fibrotic dege neration after surgery. However, the effectiveness of the clinical use of SC in facial nerve reanimation has not been clarified yet. AIM To investigate the histological, neurophysiological, and functional outcomes in facial reanimation using SC, compared to autograft. METHODS Our study is a systematic review of the literature, consistently conducted according to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses statement guidelines. The review question was: In facial nerve reanimation on rats, has the use of stem cells revealed as effective when compared to autograft, in terms of histological, neurophysiological, and functional outcomes? Random-effect meta-analysis was conducted on histological and neurophysiological data from the included comparative studies. RESULTS After screening 148 manuscript, five papers were included in our study. 43 subjects were included in the SC group, while 40 in the autograft group. The meta-analysis showed no significative differences between the two groups in terms of myelin thickness [CI: -0.10 (-0.20, 0.00); I 2 = 29%; P = 0.06], nerve fibers diameter [CI: 0.72 (-0.93, 3.36); I 2 = 72%; P = 0.6], compound muscle action potential amplitude [CI: 1.59 (0.59, 3.77); I 2 = 89%; P = 0.15] and latency [CI: 0.66 (-1.01, 2.32); I 2 = 67%; P = 0.44]. The mean axonal diameter was higher in the autograft group [CI: 0.94 (0.60, 1.27); I 2 = 0%; P ≤ 0.001]. CONCLUSION The role of stem cells in facial reanimation is still relatively poorly studied, in animal models, and available results should not discourage their use in future studies on human subjects.

Conservative Treatment in Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head: A Systematic Review

“…Growth factors play a crucial role in enhancing stem cell differentiation and vasculogenesis, which is vital for osteogenesis and bone healing. Key growth factors such as bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and platelet-derived growth factor effectively stimulate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to differentiate into osteoblasts and chondroblasts [ 76 ]. These factors are particularly advantageous in treating the AVN of the femoral head, as they can be administered non-invasively through injections or used in conjunction with surgical treatments and tissue-engineered grafts or scaffolds.…”

“…The use of growth factors for the regeneration of the bone and vasculature of the necrotic femoral heads has been practiced clinically. They can be injected or delivered through overexpression by genetically transfected stem cells ( Table 2 ) [ 76 ].…”

Adipose Stem Cells in Modern-Day Ophthalmology

“…This could be of utmost importance to prevent the possible calcification of anterior chamber structures post-intracameral injection [130]. Further research is also needed to establish the exact mechanisms of optic neuroprotection and other postulated mechanisms of facial nerve regeneration via MSCs [131].…”

New Targets and New Technologies in the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease: A Narrative Review

“…Despite advances in cell restoration, there is a gap to recover the lost functionality, that is, the development of new and appropriate neuronal circuits which maintain the dopaminergic function [ 139 , 160 , 161 , 162 , 163 ]. Axonal growth over long distances, its directionality, and the reinnervation of the correct target continue to be a matter of investigation [ 160 , 164 , 165 , 166 , 167 ]. Nowadays, chemoattractant factors are being used in the striatum to promote the restructuring of the nigrostriatal pathway [ 165 ].…”