Are Mesenchymal Stem Cells Implanted in Lip Defect Capable of Returning Orbicularis Oris Muscle Function?

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Tissue Engineering
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Background:

• Cleft lip repair often results in functional and aesthetic deficits due to scar tissue formation.
• Evaluating novel biomaterials for improved muscle regeneration is crucial for better surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of scaffold-free cells versus mesenchymal stem cells scaffold in restoring orbicularis oris muscle formation and function.
• To assess the impact of these regenerative approaches on muscle activity and tissue histology in a rat model of cleft lip.

Main Methods:

• A cleft lip defect was surgically created in Wistar rats, divided into control, cell scaffold, and scaffold-free groups.
• Muscle electromyography and histological examination were performed two months post-surgery.
• Statistical analysis included ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

Main Results:

• Both scaffold groups showed comparable electromyography activity to normal muscle, unlike the control group which exhibited hyperactivity.
• The scaffold group demonstrated significantly greater new muscle tissue formation than the cell scaffold and control groups.
• Reduced inflammatory reactions were observed in scaffold-treated groups compared to the control.

Conclusions:

• Extracellular matrix scaffolds enhance muscle formation and reduce scar contraction in cleft lip repair.
• These findings support the use of extracellular matrix scaffolds for improved functional outcomes in cleft lip surgery.