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J Reconstr Microsurg 2015; 31(07): 516-526
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1555751
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Regenerated Nerve Defects with a Nerve Conduit Containing Dental Pulp Stem Cells in Pigs: An Immunohistochemical and Electrophysiological Evaluation

Themistoklis Spyridopoulos
1   2nd Department of Surgery and Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
,
Maria Lambropoulou
2   School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
,
Olga Pagonopoulou
2   School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
,
Theodosios Birbilis
3   Department of Neural Surgery, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
,
Alexandra K. Tsaroucha
1   2nd Department of Surgery and Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
,
Kokona Kouzi-Koliakou
4   Laboratory of Histology-Embryology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
,
Sotirios Botaitis
1   2nd Department of Surgery and Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
,
Theodora-Eleftheria Deftereou
5   1st Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
,
Apostolos Gaitanidis
1   2nd Department of Surgery and Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
,
Michael Pitiakoudis
1   2nd Department of Surgery and Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

02 March 2015

20 April 2015

Publication Date:
30 June 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Background Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) present an exciting new tool in the field of peripheral nerve regeneration due to their close embryonic origin. In this study, we examined their potential in pigs, using biodegradable collagen conduits filled with DPSCs. To our knowledge, this is the first time DPCSs are tested for peripheral nerve regeneration in such large animal model.

Materials and Methods The second lateral incisor was extracted from every animal's lower jaw and stem cells were isolated and cultured. The collagen nerve conduits containing the DPSCs were subsequently transplanted into the transected fifth and sixth intercostal nerves, while the seventh intercostal nerve was used as a control and no stem cells were added on the respective collagen conduit.

Results A histological examination was performed on the 3rd and 6th postoperative months and showed the gradual development of neural tissue and immunohistochemical expression of neuron-specific enolase. An electrophysiological study was performed on the 6th postoperative month and showed similar potentials between the stem cell infusion region (5 ± 0.04 units) and their proximal stumps (5 ± 0.05 units) and slightly smaller potentials in the respective distal stumps (4 ± 0.045 units).

Conclusion The nerves where DPSCs were injected exhibited morphological and functional recovery, in contrast to the control nerves where no recovery was detected; thus, there is a first evidence of the therapeutic potential of DPSCs in peripheral nerve regeneration.

Keywords

nerve regeneration - DPSC - experimental model
 

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