Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Associated with Poly L-Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid (PLGA) Nanofiber Scaffold Improve Transected Sciatic Nerve Regeneration

Although peripheral nerves show capacity for regeneration after injury to a certain extent, the extent of regeneration is not remarkable. Previous studies have suggested that through the production of growth factors or extracellular matrix components, mesenchymal stem cells may enhance nerve regeneration.
In the present study, the therapeutic potency of the Bone Marrow Stromal Cells (BMSCs) associated with Poly L-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanofiber Scaffoldson rat sciatic nerve repair was evaluated.
Material and Thirtyadult male Wistar rats (220-250 g) were divided randomly into six groups, including control 1 (transected sciatic nerve), control 2 (transected sciatic nerve and stitched), Sham, PLGA, BMSCs, and PLGAӄ. Functional recovery was evaluated at the end of 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th weeks after surgery using sciatic functional index (SFI) and hot water test.
After killing all rats at the end of 8th week, their sciatic nerves were removed, fixed, and processed for the histological examination and analysis by the Motic software.
A significant recovery of the sciatic nerve function was observed in the PLGAӄ transplanted group at the 8th week after surgery as demonstrated by SFI and hot water findings. Histological examinations also showed a significant improvement in the PLGAӄ group compared to the control 1, 2, Sham, PLGA and BMSCs groups.
BMSCs associated with PLGA nanofiber scaffold might be useful for improving the functional peripheral nerve repair having some clinical outcome.