The effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on recovery of skeletal muscle after neurotization surgery in rat

When the nerve is injured near its entrance to the muscle belly, we cannot perform
conventional methods. One useful method in such a situation is neurotization surgery. In this study, Bone
marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) implanted into the paralyzed muscle after neurotization
surgery. These cells can stimulate axon growth and motor endplate formation, also prevent muscle
atrophy.
Materials and Methods: Thirty-six adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into six groups:
intact group, sham surgery group, control group, DMEM group, cell+DMEM group, denervated group.
The motor nerve of the lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle was cut, and the proximal portion of the
severed nerve was transplanted to the proximal third of the muscle paralysis. BMSCs with/or DMEM
was injected into the site of injury. All animals were evaluated by withdrawal reflex latency (WRL),
electromyography, muscle weight, histology and immunohistochemistry.
Results: The WRL difference between the control and cell+DMEM groups at weeks 4 and 12 postoperation was statistically significant (P<0.05). The mean number of motor end plates in cell+DMEM
group was more than control group (P<0.05). At 12 weeks post-operation, the difference of the mean
nerve conduction velocity (NCV) between cell treated group and sham surgery groups were not
statistically significant (P>0.05). In weeks 4 and 12 post-operation, the mean fiber diameters in
cell+DMEM group were more than control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that transplantation of BMSCs after neurotization
surgery, prevent muscle atrophy and improve muscle function