Efficacy of stem cell therapy for achilles tendon rupture: a systematic review and meta-analysis based on animal studies

Relatively higher-quality human studies compared with other topics in this database, e.g. multiple RCTs or systematic reviews. This does not mean it is standard or approved care.

• 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)

Background Although stem cell-based therapies show promise for promoting Achilles tendon regeneration, the current preclinical evidence is highly heterogeneous, and their overall efficacy and key modifying factors remain unclear. Methods We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus for studies based on rat models of Achilles tendon rupture. Two investigators independently performed study selection, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment. Meta-analyses were conducted using R software. Results Twenty-seven studies were included. Pooled analyses showed that stem cell transplantation significantly improved ultimate load and histological scores of the Achilles tendon, with effects increasing over time. However, the impact of stem cell therapy on tendon stiffness was limited. For type I collagen, stem cell transplantation alone did not significantly enhance its expression, whereas combining stem cells with biomaterial scaffolds led to a marked increase. Subgroup analyses revealed a complex relationship between stem cell dose and treatment efficacy: for ultimate load, a moderate dose was effective at 2 weeks, while a high dose was more effective at 4 weeks; for histological scores, both low and moderate doses were effective at 2 weeks, whereas only moderate-to-high doses were effective at 4 weeks, indicating a nonlinear and time-dependent dose-response p

Evidence level

Relatively higher-quality human studies compared with other topics in this database, e.g. multiple RCTs or systematic reviews. This does not mean it is standard or approved care.

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