Antinociceptive and Reparative Action of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Experimental Limb Ischemia

Background. Transplantation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) appears to be a promising method for relieving pain in peripheral arterial diseases and revascularization of an ischemic limb. Objective. To study the effect of various modes of local administration of ADMSCs on nociceptive reactions, gait parameters, and soft tissue histostructure of the ischemic limb in rats. Material and methods. Experimental limb ischemia was induced in Wistar rats by transection of the common femoral artery with preliminary bilateral ligation. On the 7th day of the experiment, allogeneic ADMSCs were transplanted to the corresponding groups of animals in the amount of 1×106 cells/kg (single and double administration). An assessment of nociceptive reactions to a mechanical stimulus, gait parameters, as well as the histostructure of the soft tissues in the rat hind limb with ischemia was carried out. Results. Transplantation of ADMSCs at a dose of 1×106 cells/kg into the area of the hind limb ischemia, regardless of the multiplicity, weakened mechanical hyperalgesia, produced a protective effect on the myelin sheaths of nerve fibers, and contributed to the restoration of gait parameters. A single transplantation of ADMSCs proved to be more effective in terms of anti-inflammatory and anti-ischemic effects on the tissues of the ipsilateral limb. Conclusions. Local allogeneic transplantation of ADMSCs effectively attenuated mechanical hyperalgesia and gait disturbances caused by arterial transection, and prevented thinning of the myelin sheath of nerves in the area of vessel damage.