Discussion
Transplantation of BMSCs and SCs separately or in combination have the potential to generate functional recovery after sciatic nerve injury in rat. The electromyography evaluation showed a greater improvement after SCs transplantation than BMSCs or the co-transplantation of BMSCs and SCs.
Methods
In this experimental research, adult male Wistar rats (n = 32, 250-300g) were used, BMSCs and SCs were cultured, and the SCs were confirmed with anti S100 antibody. Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 8 in each group): 1-control group: silicon tube filled with fibrin gel without cells; 2-BMSCs group: silicon tube filled with fibrin gel seeded with BMSCs; 3-SCs group: silicon tube filled with fibrin gel seeded with SCs and 4-co-transplantation group: silicone tube filled with fibrin gel seeded with BMSCs and SCs. The left sciatic nerve was exposed, a 10 mm segment removed, and a silicone tube interposed into this nerve gap. BMSCs and SCs were transplanted separately or in combination into the gap. BMSCs were labeled with anti-BrdU and SCs were labeled with DiI. After 12 weeks electromyographic and functional assessments were performed and analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Results
Electromyographic and functional assessments showed a significant difference between the experimental groups and controls. Electromyography measures were significantly more favourable in SCs transplantation group as compared to BMSCs transplantation and co-transplantation groups (p < 0.05). Functional assessments showed no statistically significant difference among the BMSCs, SCs and co-transplantation groups (p < 0.05).