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Updated: Mar 2, 2026
Neural Stem Cell Transplantation in Experimental Contusive Model of Spinal Cord Injury
Published on: December 17, 2014
Mast cells improve functional recovery of transected peripheral nerve: A novel preliminary study
Behrooz Ilkhanizadeh1, Leila Zarei2, Negin Farhad3
1Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
Background:
Employment of regenerative properties of cells at the service of nerve repair has been initiated during recent decades. Effects of local transplantation of bone marrow-derived mast cells on peripheral nerve regeneration were studied using a rat sciatic nerve transection model.
Materials And Methods:
A 10-mm sciatic nerve defect was bridged using a conduit chitosan-based hybrid conduit filled with BMMCs in BMMC group. In positive control group (Pos), the conduit was filled with phosphate-buffered saline alone. The regenerated nerve fibers were studied within 12 weeks after surgery. In sham-operated group, the sciatic nerve was only exposed and manipulated. In negative control (Neg) a 10-mm sciatic nerve defect was created and the nerve stumps were sutured to the adjacent muscles. The regenerated nerve fibers were studied functionally, biomechanically, histologically and immunohiscochemically.
Results:
Functional and biomechanical studies confirmed faster recovery of regenerated axons in BMMCs transplanted animals compared to Pos group (p<0.05). Morphometric indices of the regenerated fibers showed that the number and diameter of the myelinated fibers were significantly higher in BMMCs transplanted animals than in Pos group (p<0.05). In immunohistochemistry, location of reactions to S-100 in BMMCs transplanted animals was clearly more positive than that in Pos group.
Conclusions:
BMMCs transplantation could be considered as a readily accessible source of cells that could improve functional recovery of transected sciatic nerve.
