Collagen III combined with autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells accelerates burn wound healing in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: Skin is the largest organ in the human body and plays crucial roles in human health. Efficient and rapid healing of burn wounds is of great significance. While stem cell therapies have offered potential methods to treat burn wounds, relatively few have had success in clinical practice. AIM: To investigate the effect of the combined application of collagen III and adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) on vascular regeneration in skin wound healing. METHODS: Burn wounds were created in 18 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, and they were randomly divided into two groups. In the treatment group, each rat was injected with 4 × 10(6) Zs-Green-labeled autologous ASCs suspended in collagen III. In the control group, each rat was injected with collagen III. Each rat received six injections. Images of the wounds were acquired every 3 days. RESULTS: Multiple injections of autologous ASCs improved wound closure rate more efficiently compared to the control group. Moreover, autologous ASCs do not survive long-term during the skin wound healing process. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that multiple injections of autologous ASCs combined with collagen III accelerated burn wound healing by increasing collagen deposition and improving angiogenesis.