Role of bone marrow derived pluripotent stem cells in peripheral nerve repair in adult rats: A morphometric evaluation

Abstract

Objectives:Semi-quantitative and quantitative assessment of the effect of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BM-MNC) on early and late phase of nerve regeneration in rat sciatic nerve model.Materials and Methods:Sciatic nerve transection and repair was performed in 50 inbred female Wistar albino rats divided equally in two groups. In the test group the gap was filled with BM-MNCs obtained from the two male rats and fibrin sealant, while in the control group only fibrin sealant was used. Sciatic nerve was harvested at 15 days and at 60 days interval. Parameters of regeneration were assessed at anastomosis (G), intermediate distal (C), and distal site (A). Semi-quantitative (histopathological) and quantitative (morphometric) parameters were analyzed.Results:At 15 days there was a statistically significant difference found in mean axon diameter, mean nerve thickness and myelin thickness at the repair site (P < 0.05). However, in the distal areas, the axons were sparse and myelin rings were very thin in both the groups. At 60 days, the difference in above-mentioned parameters was statistically significant at the distal most sites. FISH assay confirmed the presence of Y chromosome, confirming the presence of BM-MNCs from the male rats.Conclusions:Transplanting BM-MNCS at the site of peripheral nerve injury leads to significantly better recovery. These differences were evident at the repair site and at the intermediate distal site at 15 days and at the distal most sites at 60 days. With practically no ethical issue regarding their isolation and application, they can be easily used for clinical trials.

ADSCs in a fibrin matrix enhance nerve regeneration after epineural suturing in a rat model

“…26 Using the same animal model, Kurwale et al applied bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) into the gap between sutured nerve ends and observed significantly higher values for myelin thickness in the treatment group compared with the control (0.41 vs. 0.62 mm). 27 With respect to our control groups, the values of the aforementioned studies corroborate our findings, and thus clearly demon-strate the reproducibility of the animal model as well as validate the utilized methods to quantify nerve regeneration. Interestingly, there was a decrease in axon count from 5 to 9 weeks in both treatment and control groups of our study.…”

“…Frerichs et al applied Clenbuterol to improve regeneration of primary coaptated sciatic nerve injuries in rats and demonstrated an increase in the total nerve diameter from 48 axons per 10,000 µm 2 in the control group to 83 axons per 10,000 µm 2 in the treatment group . Using the same animal model, Kurwale et al applied bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM‐MNCs) into the gap between sutured nerve ends and observed significantly higher values for myelin thickness in the treatment group compared with the control (0.41 vs. 0.62 µm) . With respect to our control groups, the values of the aforementioned studies corroborate our findings, and thus clearly demonstrate the reproducibility of the animal model as well as validate the utilized methods to quantify nerve regeneration.…”

Sutureless nerve repair with ECM bioscaffolds and laser‐activated chitosan adhesive

“…Numerous studies have assessed axon count and myelin thickness to quantify neuronal repair in experimental models . Zor et al demonstrated an increase in axonal and myelinated nerve counts in nerves repaired with hyaluronic acid sheaths and intra muscular vascular endothelial growth factor treatment compared to controls .…”

Moderate hypothermia induces protein SUMOylation in bone marrow stromal cells and enhances their tolerance to hypoxia

“…BMSCs are skeletal progenitor cells that are easy to obtain, expand in vitro, and transplant in vivo. Previous studies have demonstrated that BMSCs can be differentiated into bone, cartilage, fat and nerve cells, and that BMSCs may be neuroprotective (26)(27)(28). Thus, transplantation of BMSCs into the infarction area and subsequent differentiation into neuronal cells may provide a novel treatment for cerebral infarction.…”