Functional assessment of local versus systemic adipose-derived stromal cell therapy in rodent peripheral nerve regeneration.

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)

Adipose-derived stromal cell (ASC)-based therapies may play an important role in peripheral nerve regeneration, though the optimal route of application remains unclear. Systemically injected ASCs have been recognized to home to sites of inflammation and injury but also facilitate a widespread regenerative effect throughout the body. The advantage of local ASC administration is the direct and concentrated application at the site of need. Here, we investigated the effect of local versus systemic ASCs on functional recovery in a rodent sciatic nerve injury model. Twenty Lewis rats underwent sciatic transection and repair with a 10 mm nerve autograft and were subsequently assigned into three groups based on the ASC-treatment: systemic (SYS; n = 8), local (LOC; n = 8) and no ASCs (CTRL; n = 4). ASCs (1 × 10^6) were administered i.v. (SYS) or locally at the nerve repair site (LOC). Functional outcome was assessed by a swim test and static sciatic index (SSI) preoperatively and weekly until endpoint (week 14). Gastrocnemius muscle weight ratio and nerve-specific histomorphometry were examined at the endpoint. The swim test analyses noticed the nerve lesion and assessed functional recovery. Horizontal hindlimb excursion improved slightly and showed earlier recovery in the SYS group compared to LOC at week 6 ( p < 0.05). The maximum ankle angle increased steadily until the endpoint in t

Evidence level

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

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