Comparative evaluation of bone marrow and dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells for motor functional recovery in rat sciatic nerve injury.

This study delves into the impact of mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow (BM-MSCs) and those sourced from dental pulp (DP-MSCs) on the recovery of motor function and morphological aspects of the rat's sciatic nerve after crush injuries. The findings highlight that the groups treated with BM-MSCs, DP-MSCs or a combination of both (BM + DP-MSCs) displayed enhanced sciatic functional index values when juxtaposed with the sham group. This points to bettered motor functionalities. A deeper morphological analysis showed that all the groups had retained perineurium structure and fascicular arrangement. Notably, the sham and BM-MSCs groups had very few inconsistencies. All groups showed standard vascular density. Remarkably, the combined treatment group (BM + DP-MSCs) presented diminished oedema and a lower count of inflammatory cells. Through immunohistochemical methods, the presence of S100 expression was noted in the groups that underwent treatment. In summation, the study suggests that both BM-MSCs and DP-MSCs, whether used singly or in combination, can significantly aid in motor function restoration and morphological enhancements. An interesting observation from our research and earlier studies is that stem cells from dental pulp, which are sourced with less discomfort from milk and wisdom teeth, show a heightened propensity to evolve into nerve cells. This is in contrast to the more uncomfortably acquired BM-MSCs.

Dimethyl sulfoxide but not indomethacin is efficient for healing in hydrofluoric acid eye burns.

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of indomethacin and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents, to heal eye burns induced with hydrofluoric acid in rabbits. METHODS: After general anesthesia, the right eye of 72 male New Zealand rabbits were burned by instillation of 2% hydrofluoric acid for 60s. Following this, the eyes were irrigated with 500 cc normal saline. The rabbits were then divided into four groups of 18 rabbits each. Group D was instilled dimethyl sulfoxide 40%, Group I indomethacin 0.1%, and Group DI dimethyl sulfoxide together with indomethacin for 2, 7, and 14 treatment days, respectively. Group C received no instilled drug as control. Treatment efficacies were evaluated as clinical (corneal haziness, conjunctival status, conjunctivitis, corneal erosion area, and intraocular pressure) and histopathological (inflammatory cell infiltration, vascularization, stromal thickness, reepithelization, proliferating cell nuclear antigen [PCNA], apoptosis, and inducible nitric oxide synthases [iNOS]). RESULTS: In terms of corneal haziness and erosion area at days 7 and 14, group D showed the best result statistically as compared to the other groups. This group also showed the best result statistically for reepithelization rate, stromal thickness, and inflammatory cell end at day 14 as compared to the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Dimethyl sulfoxide (40%) was efficient to induce reepithelization on mild hydrofluoric acid eye burns, whereas 0.1% indomethacin both alone and along with DMSO poorly induced reepithelization and exacerbated inflammation. Thus, 40% DMSO could be used for the treatment of corneal disorders.

Preparation of fucoidan-chitosan hydrogel and its application as burn healing accelerator on rabbits.

Treatment of dermal wounds with macromolecular agents such as natural polymers is one of the research areas of the biomaterial science. Fucoidan is a sulphated polysaccharide which is commonly obtained from seaweeds. The great number of studies on the different pharmacological properties of fucoidan is present, but there is limited information about using of fucoidan in the treatment of dermal burns. The aim of this study was to prepare fucoidan-chitosan hydrogels and to investigate their treatment efficiency on dermal burns. Hydrogels were prepared by swelling the polymers in acidic solution and their swelling, mechanical (hardness, cohesiveness and adhesiveness) and bioadhesive properties were investigated. The viscosity and water absorption capacity of formulations increased with increase in the polymer concentration. In contrast to the cohesiveness results, the adhesiveness of hydrogels increased with the polymer concentration. The bioadhesion was changed between 0.012-0.142 mJ x cm(-2) and enhanced with addition of fucoidan into gel formulations. It was formed dermal burns on seven adult male New Zealand white rabbits and the optimum gel formulation applied on the wounds. Control and treatment group biopsy samples were taken on days 7, 14 and 21 and each burn wound site was evaluated histopathologically. No edema was seen in tested groups except control after 3 d treatment. After 7 d treatment, fibroplasia and scar were fixed on wounds treated with fucoidan-chitosan gel and fucoidan solution. The best regeneration on dermal papillary formation and the fastest closure of the wounds were observed in fucoidan-chitosan hydrogels after 14 d treatment.

Chitosan film containing fucoidan as a wound dressing for dermal burn healing: preparation and in vitro/in vivo evaluation.

The aim of this study was to develop chitosan film containing fucoidan and to investigate its suitability for the treatment of dermal burns on rabbits. Porous films, thickness between 29.7 and 269.0 mum, were obtained by the solvent dropping method. Water vapor permeability (3.3-16.6/0.1 g), the swelling (0.67-1.77 g/g), tensile strength (7.1-45.8 N), and bioadhesion (0.076-1.771 mJ/cm(2)) of the films were determined. The thinnest films were obtained with the lowest chitosan concentration (P < .05). The water absorption capacity of the films sharply increased with the freeze-drying technique. The film having the thickness of 29.7 mum showed the highest amount of moisture permeability (16.6 g/0.1 g). Higher chitosan concentration significantly increased tensile strength of the films (P < .05). Using higher concentration of lactic acid made films more elastic and applicable, and these films were selected for in vivo studies. Seven adult male New Zealand white rabbits were used for the evaluation of the films on superficial dermal burns. Biopsy samples were taken at 7, 14, and 21 days after wounding, and each wound site was examined macroscopically and histopathologically. After 7 days treatment, fibroplasia and scar were observed on wounds treated with fucoidan-chitosan film. The best regenerated dermal papillary formation, best re-epithelization, and the fastest closure of wounds were found in the fucoidan-chitosan film treatment group after 14 days compared with other treatment and control groups. It can be concluded that fucoidan-chitosan films might be a potential treatment system for dermal burns and that changing formulation variables can modulate the characterizations of the films.

Histologic characteristics and local cellular immunity of the gland of the third eyelid after topical ophthalmic administration of 2% cyclosporine for treatment of dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of topical administration of a 2% solution of cyclosporine (CsA) for treatment of dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) and to correlate results with histopathologic characteristics and local cellular immunity of the gland of the third eyelid. ANIMALS: 24 dogs with bilateral KCS. PROCEDURE: Lacrimal secretion was measured, using Schirmer tear test (STT) strips. Leukocyte and T-lymphocyte subsets were determined in blood samples. Histopathologic changes as well as CD4+, CD8+, and alpha-naphthyl-acetate esterase-positive (ANAE+) lymphocytes were evaluated. RESULTS: Clinical signs resolved at the end of 1 month in conjunction with significantly increased STT values, compared with baseline values. Fifteen and 30 days after discontinuation of CsA treatment, a decrease was observed in STT values in both eyes; however, only values for the right eye were significantly different. There was a significant decrease in the number of lymphocytes and ANAE+ lymphocytes 15 and 30 days after discontinuation of CsA treatment, compared with baseline values. Differences were not observed in number of CD4+ lymphocytes among treatment groups. However, there was a significant decrease in number of CD8+ lymphocytes with reversal of the CD4+:CD8+ in both eyes after CsA treatment for 30 days, compared with the control group. Increased secretory activity and decreased lymphocyte infiltration were characteristic histopathologic findings. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Topical administration of a 2% solution of CsA was effective for the treatment of dogs with KCS. Strict follow-up monitoring is required after the cessation of treatment because of the possibility of recurrence of KCS.