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Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Delay Muscle Atrophy after Peripheral Nerve Injury in a Rodent Model
M. Asher Schusterman II, Benjamin K Schilling, Deokyeol Kim, Alex J. Repko, Katarina C. Klett, George Christ, Kacey G. Marra
UPMC
2018-01-30
Presenter: M. Asher Schusterman II
Affidavit:
This is the original work of the resident.
Director Name: Vu T. Nguyen, MD
Author Category: Resident Plastic Surgery
Presentation Category: Basic Science Research
Abstract Category: General Reconstruction
Background: Successful regrowth of an injured nerve after primary repair or nerve grafting does not necessarily lead to restoration of muscle power and function due to muscle atrophy that develops during nerve regeneration. This study analyzes the ability of adipose stem cells (ASCs) to delay muscle atrophy after peripheral nerve injury in a rodent model.
Methods: A 1.5cm defect was created in the right sciatic nerve of 17 Lewis rats. Each rat was randomly assigned to one of four cohorts: (A) empty nerve defect (n=3), (B) reverse-polarity autograft only (n=4), (C) autograft with a single injection of allogeneic ASCs into the right gastrocnemius muscle at Day 0 (n=5), and (D) autograft with injections of ASCs at Days 0 and 21 (n=5). All rats were sacrificed at 6 weeks and bilateral gastrocnemius muscles harvested and weighed. Muscle specimens were sectioned and stained with dystrophin, Masson's Trichrome and Oil Red O.
Results: At six weeks, muscles from groups C and D had significantly higher mass relative to the contralateral gastrocnemius compared to group A (27% vs 14%, p<0.001). Muscles from group C had significantly greater average fiber area compared to group B (861 m2 vs 683 m2, p<0.001). Furthermore, muscles from group C had less overall lipid content compared to muscles from group B. Additionally, muscles having received ASCs injection showed increased presence of IL-10 and Ki67, with decreased presence of iNOS, suggesting an M2 inflammatory response.
Conclusion: In our rodent model, ASCs significantly delay muscle atrophy after sciatic nerve injury.
