Comparison of beneficial effects of undifferentiated cultured bone marrow stromal cells and omental adipose-derived nucleated cell fractions on sciatic nerve regeneration.

Adipose tissue is a good source for isolation of cells with stem-cell-like properties. The effects of undifferentiated cultured bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and omental adipose-derived nucleated cells (OADNCs) on peripheral nerve regeneration were compared in a rat nerve regeneration model. A 10-mm sciatic nerve defect was bridged using a vein graft. In one group, the vein was filled with BMSCs and in the other group with OADNCs. Functional study, morphometric indices, and immunohistochemistry indicated there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between groups in recovery of regenerated axons at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery. OADNCs enhanced regeneration similar to undifferentiated BMSCs. These observations suggest OADNCs represent an effective and cost-saving cell population due to the shortened time interval from tissue collection to cell injection as well as procedural simplicity. This approach is clinically translatable toward new methods for enhanced peripheral nerve repair without the limitations of BMSC.