Mesenchymal Stem Cells Enhance Nerve Regeneration in a Rat Sciatic Nerve Repair and Hindlimb Transplant Model.

This study investigates the efficacy of local and intravenous mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) administration to augment neuroregeneration in both a sciatic nerve cut-and-repair and rat hindlimb transplant model. Bone marrow-derived MSCs were harvested and purified from Brown-Norway (BN) rats. Sciatic nerve transections and repairs were performed in three groups of Lewis (LEW) rats: negative controls (n = 4), local MSCs (epineural) injection (n = 4), and systemic MSCs (intravenous) injection (n = 4). Syngeneic (LEW-LEW) (n = 4) and allogeneic (BN-LEW) (n = 4) hindlimb transplants were performed and assessed for neuroregeneration after local or systemic MSC treatment. Rats undergoing sciatic nerve cut-and-repair and treated with either local or systemic injection of MSCs had significant improvement in the speed of recovery of compound muscle action potential amplitudes and axon counts when compared with negative controls. Similarly, rats undergoing allogeneic hindlimb transplants treated with local injection of MSCs exhibited significantly increased axon counts. Similarly, systemic MSC treatment resulted in improved nerve regeneration following allogeneic hindlimb transplants. Systemic administration had a more pronounced effect on electromotor recovery while local injection was more effective at increasing fiber counts, suggesting different targets of action. Local and systemic MSC injections significantly improve the pace and degree of nerve regeneration after nerve injury and hindlimb transplantation.

Free groin flap for aesthetic and functional donor-site closure of the anterolateral thigh flap.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Better methods for anterolateral thigh flap donor-site reconstruction are desirable in cases when direct closure is impossible. Multiple surgical strategies have been attempted, and each has its shortcomings. The use of a contralateral free groin flap to repair the anterolateral thigh flap donor site is investigated in this report. METHODS: From October 2015 to February 2016, free groin flaps were harvested on six patients for aesthetic and functional donor-site closure of the anterolateral thigh flap, which could not be directly closed. In these cases, the reverse-flow distal portion of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery and vein were used as recipient vessels and anastomosed to the superficial circumflex iliac artery and vein, respectively. RESULTS: One flap had presented a few blisters on the distal margin; the other five flaps fully survived without any complications. Patients were highly satisfied with the aesthetic outcomes of both the anterolateral thigh area and the groin site. CONCLUSION: Although with theoretical risks of compromised venous blood flow, free groin flaps are an effective strategy for closure of massive anterolateral donor-site defects and can be safely performed with thoughtful planning and meticulous microsurgical techniques.

Orbicularis-levator-tarsus composite suture technique in double-eyelid operation.

OBJECTIVE: Fold loss and suture extrusion are fairly common in double-eyelid surgeries. We hereby explore a new composite suture technique that aims to reduce such complications and to improve the long-term aesthetic outcome. METHODS: Based on the conventional external incision procedure, the suture procedure in our technique involves three stitches that fixate the orbicularis oculi, the levator aponeurosis, and the tarsal plate. This modified upper-eyelid blepharoplasty was performed in 98 patients (91 female and seven male, 196 eyes) with either congenital absence of the upper-eyelid folds (n = 84) or loss of fold from previous procedures (n = 14). The patients were followed up for 6-30 months. The complications were documented, and the overall outcomes of upper-eyelid folds were evaluated by both surgeons and patients as excellent, good, fair, or poor. RESULTS: Among 98 patients, 89 (91%) had excellent results and nine (9%) had good results; no patient had fair or poor results. Four patients had scar formation at postoperative week 2, all resolved without particular treatments at 6 months. The buried sutures could not be seen or felt through the skin. In addition, no suture extrusion was noted. There was no case of faded or disappeared folds during the follow-up. All patients were satisfied with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The composite suture technique ensures a firmer fixation and improves the aesthetic outcomes. It is a highly applicable and reliable approach for upper-eyelid blepharoplasty.

Donor age negatively affects the immunoregulatory properties of both adipose and bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells.

PURPOSE: Age negatively impacts the biologic features of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), including decreased expansion kinetics and differentiation potential. Clinically, donor-age may be within a wide spectrum; therefore, investigation of the role of donor's age on immunoregulatory potential is of critical importance to translate stem cell therapies from bench to bedside. METHODS: Adipose and bone marrow derived MSCs (ASCs and BMSCs) were isolated in parallel from Lewis and Brown Norway rats of young (less than 4-week old) and senior groups (older than 15-month). The presentation of cells and time required for growth to 90% confluence was recorded. FACS sorting based on the expression of CD90 and CD29 double positive and CD45 CD11 double negative quantified the proportions of MSCs. After expansion, ASCs and BMSCs from different age groups were co-cultured in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR; Lewis vs. Brown Norway) assays. The suppression of CD3(+)CD4(+) and CD3(+)CD8(+) T cell populations by different sources of MSCs were compared. RESULTS: The kinetics of cell growth was slower in old animals (17.3±2days) compared with young animals (8.8±3days), and cell morphology was irregular and enlarged in the senior groups. The yield of MSCs by FACS sorting was significantly higher in young groups compared to senior groups (p<0.02). With regard to immunoregulatory potential, senior ASCs failed to induce any CD3(+)CD4(+) T cell suppression (p>0.05). In addition, young BMSCs-induced suppression was more prominent than seniors (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Donor age should be taken into consideration when using recipient MSC of either bone marrow or adipose origin in clinical applications.