Unit:
Faculty of MedicineLibrary of the School of Health Sciences
Author:
Megaloikonomos Panayiotis
Dissertation committee:
Παναγιώτης Παπαγγελόπουλος, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕKΠΑ
Elizabeth Johnson, Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, Ευρωπαϊκό Πανεπιστήμιο Κύπρου
Ανδρέας Μαυρογένης, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Ευστάθιος Χρονόπουλος, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Γεώργιος Αγρογιάννης, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Βασίλειος Κοντογεωργάκος, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Δημήτριος Κούλαλης, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Βιοτεχνολογικά υποβοηθούμενη αναγέννηση περιφερικών νεύρων με τη χρήση βλαστοκυττάρων από λιπώδη ιστό και νευροαγωγών. Πειραματική μελέτη σε επίμυες.
Translated title:
Biotechnologically assisted peripheral nerve regeneration using adipose-derived stem cells and nerve conduits. Experimental study in rats.
Summary:
Introduction:
This study assessed the impact of undifferentiated adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in peripheral nerve regeneration. The clinical outcome of undifferentiated ADSCs combined with nerve conduits was compared with the one of nerve autografts and this of simple conduits in the context of peripheral nerve regeneration in an experimental model of sciatic nerve complete transection in rats.
Materials & Methods:
Forty Wistar rats were equally distributed in four groups. In the SHAM surgery group, the sciatic nerve was dissected but no further intervention was done. In the simple conduit group (SLN), a 10-mm nerve gap was created and subsequently bridged with a fibrin glue conduit that was filled with normal saline. In the autograft group, nerve defect was produce removing 10 mm of the sciatic nerve, which was then used as a reverse autograft. In the ADSC group, the conduit was filled with undifferentiated ADSCs after defect bridging. Nerve regeneration was assessed by means of walking track analysis, electromyography, and neurohistomorphometry.
Results:
The clinical and microscopical outcome of this study showed that nerve regeneration was achieved in all groups at 12 weeks postoperatively. Walking track analysis confirmed functional recovery in the AUTO and ADSC groups, but there was no difference between them. Recovery in function was also achieved in the SLN group, but with inferior outcome (P<0.05). Electromyography demonstrated superior nerve regeneration in the AUTO and ADSC groups as compared with the SLN group (P<0.05), with no substantial difference between the two former groups. Similarly, histologic examination showed similar superior results in the AUTO and ADSC groups, which both outperformed the SLN group (P<0.001). No complications were observed in any of the study groups.
Conclusion:
Successful peripheral nerve regeneration can be accomplished after bridging a 10-mm nerve defect with nerve conduits. Superior nerve regeneration is expected when the conduits are loaded with undifferentiated ADSCs. Similar outcomes can be achieved by bridging the defect with nerve autographs.
Main subject category:
Health Sciences
Keywords:
Peripheral nerves, Nerve defect, Adipose-derived stem cells, Nerve conduits, Nerve regeneration
Number of references:
226
