Bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation enhances closing pressure and leak point pressure in a female urinary incontinence rat model.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether periurethral injection of allogenic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could increase the leak point pressure (LPP) in a rat model of stress urinary incontinence.


METHODS
Female Sprague-Dawley rats (230-240 g, n = 30) were divided into 3 groups: sham operation (group C), saline-treated (group S) and MSC-treated (group M). Bilateral pudendal nerve dissection followed by normal saline or MSC injection on both sides of the urethra was done. LPP and closing pressure (CP) testing was performed after the treatment. The specific markers for smooth muscle cells in the transplantation sites of the urethra were determined.


RESULTS
Both the LPP and CP were significantly lower in group S than controls. However, these were restored to the control values in group M (p < 0.05). The LPPs of groups C, S and M were 29.1 ± 2.1, 22.0 ± 2.2 and 43.1 ± 3.2 cm H(2)O, respectively. The CPs of groups C, S and M were 27.1 ± 3.1, 21.1 ± 3.2, and 32.1 ± 2.1 cm H(2)O, respectively. The injected MSCs stained positive for muscle-specific markers.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that MSCs might differentiate into muscle lineage cells and may contribute to the repair of damaged muscle tissue.
Kim
Sun-Ouck
SO
Department of Urology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea.
Na
Hee Sam
HS
Kwon
Dongdeuk
D
Joo
Soo Yeon
SY
Kim
Hyung Suck
HS
Ahn
Youngkeun
Y
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014521:Urethra; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000601:surgery*