Adipose Tissue Graft Improves Early but not Late Stages of Nerve Regeneration

• Published in: In vivo (Athens) 2017-07, Vol.31 (4), p.649-655
• Main Authors: Bloancă, Vlad, Ceauşu, Amalia Raluca, Jitariu, Andreea Adriana, Barmayoun, Ariana, Moş, Raluca, Crăiniceanu, Zorin, Bratu, Tiberiu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adipose Tissue - growth & development; Adipose Tissue - transplantation; Animals; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein - genetics; Humans; Nerve Regeneration - genetics; Nerve Regeneration - physiology; Neurofilament Proteins - genetics; Rats; Schwann Cells - metabolism; Schwann Cells - transplantation; Transplantation, Autologous - methods; Transplants - metabolism; Transplants - transplantation
• ISSN: 1791-7549; 0258-851X; 1791-7549
• DOI: 10.21873/invivo.11107

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of autologous fat graft on nerve regeneration by means of immunohistochemistry. The rat sciatic nerve was used; complete transection followed by primary neurorrhaphy was performed on both hind legs, on the left side a processed fat graft was applied, surrounding the nerve. Nerve biopsies were collected and immunohistochemical procedures were performed for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and for neurofilament-associated protein(NFAP). At 4 weeks, GFAP-positive cells were observed in the connective tissue formed between the two nerve endings on the left side only. At 10 weeks, GFAP-positive structures were present and exhibited a tendency to become linear on both sides, with an increased density on the left. NFAP-positive expression was present in the left treated limb with a disorganized pattern. Adipose tissue led to the stimulation of GFAP-positive Schwann cells, which could have a positive impact on nerve regeneration in the clinical setting.