Stem Cells and Childbirth Injury in Rats
Author Information
Author(s): Michelle Cruz, Dissaranan Charuspong, Anne Cotleur, Matthew Kiedrowski, Marc Penn, Margot Damaser
Primary Institution: The Cleveland Clinic
Hypothesis
Do intravenously injected mesenchymal stem cells home to pelvic organs after simulated childbirth injury in a rat model?
Conclusion
Intravenous administration of mesenchymal stem cells could be an effective method for delivering cell-based therapies after vaginal childbirth injury.
Supporting Evidence
- Significantly more MSCs home to the urethra, vagina, rectum, and levator ani muscle 4 days after vaginal distension than after sham VD.
- MSCs were present 10 days after injection but GFP intensity had decreased.
- Flow cytometry results showed high variability, indicating challenges in quantifying MSCs.
Takeaway
This study shows that special cells called stem cells can travel to injured areas in the body after childbirth, which might help fix those injuries.
Methodology
Female rats underwent vaginal distension or sham VD, then received GFP-labeled MSCs intravenously, and organs were imaged for MSC presence.
Limitations
The study relies on an acute simulated childbirth injury model, while pelvic floor disorders often manifest years later.
Participant Demographics
Female Sprague-Dawley rats, age-matched, weighing 240-265g.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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