title: Autologous transplantation of adipose-derived stem cells enhances skin graft survival and wound healing in diabetic rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diabetes can lead to impaired wound healing and skin grafts used surgically for diabetic wounds are often complicated with necrosis, although different therapies have been proposed. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) participate in tissue repair processes and may have a role during impaired wound healing. In this study, autologous transplantation of ASCs was used to determine if it increases angiogenesis and skin graft survival and enhances wound healing in diabetic rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adipose-derived stem cells were successfully isolated and cultured. A full-thickness skin graft model was used to determine the effects of locally administered ASCs in 10 rats rendered diabetic (group 1), whereas 10 others served as controls (group 2). Histological examination of skin grafts followed after 1 week. Additionally, immunohistochemical staining intensity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor β3 (TGF-β3) was assessed in all grafts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The gross and histological results showed significantly increased survival, angiogenesis, and epithelialization. Mean area of graft necrosis was significantly less in group 1 than in group 2 (7.49% vs 39.67%, P < 0.001). Statistically significant increase of capillary density, collagen intensity, VEGF, and TGF-β3 expression was noted in group 1 compared with group 2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that autologous ASC transplantation can enhance skin graft survival in diabetic rats through differentiation, vasculogenesis, and secretion of growth factors such as VEGF and TGF-β3. This might represent a novel therapeutic approach in skin graft surgery for diabetic wounds.
authors: Laboratory of Experimental Surgery and Research, University of Athens School of Medicine, Athens, Greece. azografou@med.uoa.gr
authors: Aggeliki
authors: A
authors: Zografou
authors: Othon
authors: O
authors: Papadopoulos
authors: Christos
authors: C
authors: Tsigris
authors: Nikolaos
authors: N
authors: Kavantzas
authors: Efstathios
authors: E
authors: Michalopoulos
authors: Theofanis
authors: T
authors: Chatzistamatiou
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Papassavas
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Stavropoulou-Gioka
authors: Ismini
authors: I
authors: Dontas
authors: Despoina
authors: D
authors: Perrea
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013311:Streptozocin; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000166:cytology*; D053782:Transforming Growth Factor beta3 / Q000378:metabolism; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D053782:Transforming Growth Factor beta3; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C467498:vascular endothelial growth factor A, rat; D013311:Streptozocin