Background: In spite of the great recent advancements, the definition of the optimal strategy for bridging of nerve defect, especially across long gaps, still remains an open issue. The aim of this study was to investigate a new tubulization technique based on the employment of vein conduits filled with entire subcutaneous adipose tissue obtained by lipoaspiration. Methods: In adult rats, a 1cm-long defect of the left median nerve was repaired by adipose tissue-vein-combined conduits and compared with fresh skeletal muscle tissue-combined conduits and traditional nerve autografts. Along the postoperative, functional recovery was assessed using the grasping test. Regenerated nerve samples were withdrawn at month-6 postoperative and processed for light and electron microscopy and stereology of regenerated nerve fibers. Results: Results showed that functional recovery was significantly slower in the in the adipose tissue-enriched group in comparison to both control groups. Light and electron microscopy showed that large amount of adipose tissue was still present inside the vein conduits at month-6 postoperative. Stereology showed that all quantitative morphological predictors analysed performed significantly worse in the adipose tissue-enriched group in comparison to the two control groups. Conclusions: On the basis of this experimental study in the rat, the use of entire adipose tissue for tissue engineering of peripheral nerves should be discouraged. Pre-treatment of adipose tissue aimed at isolating stromal vascular fraction and/or adipose derived stem/precusor cells should be considered a fundamental requisite for nerve repair.
Repairing Nerve Gaps by Vein Conduits Filled with Lipoaspirate-Derived Entire Adipose Tissue Hinders Nerve Regeneration
PAPALIA, Igor;MAGAUDDA, Ludovico;
2013-01-01
Abstract
Background: In spite of the great recent advancements, the definition of the optimal strategy for bridging of nerve defect, especially across long gaps, still remains an open issue. The aim of this study was to investigate a new tubulization technique based on the employment of vein conduits filled with entire subcutaneous adipose tissue obtained by lipoaspiration. Methods: In adult rats, a 1cm-long defect of the left median nerve was repaired by adipose tissue-vein-combined conduits and compared with fresh skeletal muscle tissue-combined conduits and traditional nerve autografts. Along the postoperative, functional recovery was assessed using the grasping test. Regenerated nerve samples were withdrawn at month-6 postoperative and processed for light and electron microscopy and stereology of regenerated nerve fibers. Results: Results showed that functional recovery was significantly slower in the in the adipose tissue-enriched group in comparison to both control groups. Light and electron microscopy showed that large amount of adipose tissue was still present inside the vein conduits at month-6 postoperative. Stereology showed that all quantitative morphological predictors analysed performed significantly worse in the adipose tissue-enriched group in comparison to the two control groups. Conclusions: On the basis of this experimental study in the rat, the use of entire adipose tissue for tissue engineering of peripheral nerves should be discouraged. Pre-treatment of adipose tissue aimed at isolating stromal vascular fraction and/or adipose derived stem/precusor cells should be considered a fundamental requisite for nerve repair.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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