Adipose-derived stem cells delay muscle atrophy after peripheral nerve injury in the rodent model

Introduction: Injuries to peripheral nerves cause distal muscle atrophy. The effects of adipose-derived stem cell (ASC) injections into a muscle after injury were examined. Methods: A 1.5 cm defect in the rat sciatic nerve was created, resulting in gastrocnemius muscle atrophy. The nerve defect was repaired with autograft; DiR-labeled ASCs were injected into the gastrocnemius immediately postoperatively. Quantitation of gross musculature and muscle fiber area, cell survival, fibrosis, lipid deposition, inflammation, and reconstructive responses were investigated. Results: ASCs were identified in the muscle at 6 weeks, where injections showed increased muscle mass percentage retained, larger average fiber area, and less overall lipid content accumulated throughout the musculature. Muscles having received ASCs showed increased presence of interlukin-10 and Ki67, and decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Discussion: This investigation is suggestive that an ASC injection into denervated muscle post-operatively is able to delay the onset of atrophy. Muscle Nerve 59:603–603, 2019.