title: Adipose-derived stem cells promote peripheral nerve repair.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent evidence suggests that the implantation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells improves peripheral nerve regeneration. In this study we aimed to investigate whether adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) can be used for peripheral nerve repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a rat model, nerve regeneration was evaluated across a 15 mm lesion in the sciatic nerve by using an acellular nerve injected with allogenic ADSCs. The walking behaviour of rats was measured by footprint analysis, and electrophysiological analysis and histological examination were performed to evaluate the efficacy of nerve regeneration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cultured ADSCs became morphologically homogeneous with a bipolar, spindle-like shape after ex vivo expansion. Implantation of ADSCs into the rat models led to (i) improved walking behaviour as measured by footprint analysis, (ii) increased conservation of muscle-mass ratio of gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, (iii) increased nerve conduction velocity, and (iv) increased number of myelinated fibres within the graft.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adipose-derived stem cells could promote peripheral nerve repair in a rat model. Although the detailed mechanism by which ADSCs promote peripheral nerve regeneration is being investigated in our lab, our results suggest that ADSCs transplantation represents a powerful therapeutic approach for peripheral nerve injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Anatomy, The Basic College of Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
authors.forename: Gui-Bo
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yong-Xia
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Yu-Kuan
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Chao-Jian
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Xiao-Jie
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Tong