Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Alleviate Denervation-Induced Muscle Atrophy by Promoting M2 Macrophage Polarization and Reducing Inflammation.

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Denervation-induced muscle atrophy lacks effective therapies. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) show promise for tissue repair. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of local ADSC delivery on denervated muscle, investigate underlying mechanisms, and track ADSC distribution and migration in vivo. In a mouse model of sciatic nerve transection and immediate reverse autograft repair, ADSCs or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were injected into the right gastrocnemius following nerve injury. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and in vivo imaging system (IVIS) tracked ADSC migration. Muscle strength and gastrocnemius mass were measured. Histology (H&E, Masson), immunostaining (MyoD, CD163), and the real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assessed fiber size, fibrosis, muscle regeneration, M2 macrophage infiltration, and inflammatory gene expression. Endpoints were measured 1 week after the final injection (4 weeks post-injury). IVIS showed that injected ADSCs were visualized for 3-5 days in vivo while MRI localized cells predominantly to the quadriceps and knee regions. ADSC treatment increased normalized muscle strength (p < 0.05), normalized gastrocnemius muscle weight (p < 0.001) and fiber diameter (p < 0.05); downregulated MMP2 expression (p < 0.001), enhanced MyoD+ cell count (p < 0.001), and promoted M2 macrophage infiltration (CD163+ cells, p < 0.05;

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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