Effect of Freeze-dried Amnion with Human Amniotic Stem Cells Seeding on the Expression of FGF-2 and the Number of Fibroblasts in Vesicovaginal Fistula: An Animal Study

Abstract

Surgery is the standard therapy for vesicovaginal fistula. The surgical success rate in these cases ranges from 70-100%, and the risk of recurrence is high. The human amniotic membrane is especially being developed for tissue engineering in urogynecology. The study aimed to determine the effect of freeze-dried amnion with human amniotic stem cells seeding on the expression of FGF-2 and the number of fibroblasts in vesicovaginal fistula in New Zealand rabbits. We conducted experimental research with a post-test-only control group design. The female rabbits were divided into three groups, each consisting of 12 rabbits. The specimens taken were subjected to immunohistochemical staining to determine the expression of FGF-2 and hematoxylin-eosin staining to determine the number of fibroblast cells. We analyzed data statistically. The expression of FGF-2 in primary suturing and freeze-dried amnion with human amniotic stem cell seeding was higher than in the other groups (P<0.05). We found the highest fibroblast cells in the primary suturing and freeze-dried amnion with human amniotic stem cell seeding (P<0.05). The use of freeze-dried amnion with the seeding of human amniotic stem cells affects postoperative wound healing seen from the expression of FGF-2 and the number of fibroblasts. This study can be used as a recommendation for clinical use but needs to be clarified by conducting human studies.