Ghrelin and adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells improve nerve regeneration in a rat model of epsilon-caprolactone conduit reconstruction

Histol Histopathol. 2017 Jun;32(6):627-637. doi: 10.14670/HH-11-828. Epub 2016 Sep 30.

Abstract

Objective: Attempts have been made to improve nerve conduits in peripheral nerve reconstruction. We investigated the potential therapeutic effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal cells (ASCs) and ghrelin (GHR), a neuropeptide with neuroprotective, trophic, and developmental regulatory actions, on peripheral nerve regeneration in a model of severe nerve injury repaired with nerve conduits.

Material and methods: The right sciatic nerves of 24 male Wistar rats were 10-mm transected unilaterally and repaired with Dl-lactic-ε-caprolactone conduits. Rats were then treated locally with saline, ASCs, or GHR. At 12 weeks post-surgery, we assessed limb function by measuring ankle stance angle and percentage muscle mass reduction and evaluated the histopathology, immunohistochemistry, ultrastructure, and morphometry of myelinated fibers.

Main results: Rats receiving GHR or ASCs showed no significant increased functional recovery in ankle stance angle (p=0.372) but a higher nerve area (p=0.015), myelin area (p=0.046) and number of myelinated fibers (p=0.012) in the middle and distal segments of operated sciatic nerves in comparison to saline-treated control animals.

Conclusion: These results suggest that utilization of ghrelin or ASCs may improve nerve regeneration using Dl-lactic-ε-caprolactone conduits.

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / cytology
  • Animals
  • Caproates*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Ghrelin / pharmacology*
  • Guided Tissue Regeneration / methods*
  • Lactones*
  • Male
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / methods*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology
  • Mice
  • Nerve Regeneration* / drug effects
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Recovery of Function / drug effects
  • Recovery of Function / physiology

Substances

  • Caproates
  • Ghrelin
  • Lactones
  • caprolactone