Evaluation of biodegradable electric conductive tube-guides and mesenchymal stem cells

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2015

Authors

Ribeiro, J (Author) Other; Pereira, T (Author) Other; Caseiro, AR (Author) Other; Armada-da-Silva, P (Author) Other; Pires, I (Author) Other; Prada, J (Author) Other; Amorim, I (Author) Other; Amado, S (Author) Other; França, M (Author) Other; Carolina Gonçalves (Author) Other; Lopes, MA (Author) FEUP; Santos, JD (Author) FEUP; Silva, D (Author) Other; Geuna, S (Author) Other; Luís, AL (Author) Other; Maurício, AC (Author) Other

Journal

Title: World Journal of Stem Cells

Vol. 7 No. 6

Pages: 956-975

Publisher: Baishideng Publishing Group

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 16 Citations

Pubmed / Medline

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Technological sciences > Engineering > Biomaterial engineering ; Technological sciences > Engineering > Biomedical enginnering ; Technological sciences > Engineering > Materials engineering

FOS: Engineering and technology > Medical engineering

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00K-RBQ

DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v7.i6.956

Abstract (EN): AIM: To study the therapeutic effect of three tube-guides with electrical conductivity associated to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on neuro-muscular regeneration after neurotmesis. METHODS: Rats with 10-mm gap nerve injury were tested using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), PVA-carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and MSCs, and PVA-polypyrrole (PPy). The regenerated nerves and tibialis anterior muscles were processed for stereological studies after 20 wk. The functional recovery was assessed serially for gait biomechanical analysis, by extensor postural thrust, sciatic functional index and static sciatic functional index (SSI), and by withdrawal reflex latency (WRL). In vitro studies included cytocompatibility, flow cytometry, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and karyotype analysis of the MSCs. Histopathology of lung, liver, kidneys, and regional lymph nodes ensured the biomaterials biocompatibility. RESULTS: SSI remained negative throughout and independently from treatment. Differences between treted groups in the severity of changes in WRL existed, showing a faster regeneration for PVA-CNTs-MSCs (P < 0.05). At toe-off, less acute ankle joint angles were seen for PVA-CNTs-MSCs group (P = 0.051) suggesting improved ankle muscles function during the push off phase of the gait cycle. In PVA-PPy and PVA-CNTs groups, there was a 25% and 42% increase of average fiber area and a 13% and 21% increase of the "minimal Feret's diameter" respectively. Stereological analysis disclosed a significantly (P < 0.05) increased myelin thickness (M), ratio myelin thickness/axon diameter (M/d) and ratio axon diameter/fiber diameter (d/D; g-ratio) in PVA-CNT-MSCs group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Results revealed that treatment with MSCs and PVA-CNTs tube-guides induced better nerve fiber regeneration. Functional and kinematics analysis revealed positive synergistic effects brought by MSCs and PVA-CNTs. The PVA-CNTs and PVA-PPy are promising scaffolds with electric conductive properties, bio- and cytocompatible that might prevent the secondary neurogenic muscular atrophy by improving the reestablishment of the neuro-muscular junction.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 20