RESUMO
The best results of cell therapy are achieved by a greater quantity of cells, delivery to the correct place, and cell conditions of viability with proliferation and without apoptosis. The quantification of cellular growth, including proliferation and viability, has become an essential tool. The objective of this study was to analyze cell proliferation in 14-day cultures of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSC), skeletal muscle cells (SMC), and co-culture of both types of cells (CO). Forty-four adult Wistar male rats (250-300g) received cultured cells CO (n = 22), BMMSC (n = 10), and SMC (n = 12). All cultured cells were started with the same concentration: 5 x 10(5)/mL, under similar conditions and maintained in an incubator with 5% CO(2) at 37 degrees C, which was changed every 48 hours for 14 days. The cell count was performed in Neubauer's chamber to calculate the proliferation index (IP). Statistical analysis was performed by the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon tests. P values <.05 were considered statistically significant. The results showed that IP was positive in all groups. In conclusion, proliferation capacity was demonstrated in all groups. SMC IP was greater than the others, although it was the most heterogeneous.