Stem cell in side-to-end nerve repair: experimental study in rat

• Grant number: 11/13112-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2011
• End date: October 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Fausto Viterbo de Oliveira Neto
• Grantee: Fausto Viterbo de Oliveira Neto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FMB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Geruza Rezende Paiva

Abstract

The treatment peripheral nerve damage is usually chalenging. Most cases of injury with loss of continuity of the axon, those requiring surgical intervention with neurorrhaphy present poor clinical results. Viterbo (1992) published an innovative technique for the repair of peripheral nerves, the side-to-end neurorrhaphy, an alternative to end-to-end neurorrhaphy, in some special cases. New research should clarify why the results are so controversial in the experimental and clinical practice among the various authors about side-to-end neurorrhaphy. In addition to the improvement in surgical procedures, many studies have sought after alternatives to achieve better results in the treatment of peripheral nerve lesions. The replacement of cells, the addition of neurotrophic factor, the stabilizing factors or the improvement of the microenvironment and the introduction of stem cells have been some of the alternatives explored in current literature. Concerning to stem cells, there is still much to be searched, whether on the regenerative potential of stem cells and their sources and the ways of bidding or about the integration and survival of cells at the site of nerve injury. This study aims to evaluate the influence of stem cells from adipose tissue in side-to-end neurorrhaphy on the peripheral nerve regeneration and reinnervation through experimental study in rats. 120 animals will be studied, arranged into six groups. In one of the groups end-to-side neurorrhaphy will be held with the interposition of stem cells removed from the adipose tissue of the animal. Some evaluations will be performed: the Walking Track Test, electrophysiologic evaluation and histological examinations (nerves and muscles) 120 days after of the procedure. (AU)