Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
2
Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
3
Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
4
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
5
Experimental and Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
Abstract
Objective: Colonic anastomosis is associated with serious complications leading to significant morbidity and mortality.
Fibroblasts have recently been introduced as a practical alternative to stem cells because of their differentiation
capacity, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of intramural
injection of fibroblasts on the healing of colonic anastomosis in rats.
Materials and Methods: Inbred mature male Wistar rats were used in this experimental study (n=36). Fibroblasts were
isolated from the axillary skin of a donor rat. In the sham group, manipulation on descending colon was done during
laparotomy. A 5 mm segment of the colon was resected, and end-to-end anastomosis was performed. In the control
group, 0.5 ml of phosphate buffer saline (PBS) was injected into the colonic wall and in the treatment group, 1×106
fibroblasts were transplanted. Following euthanasia on day 7, intra-abdominal adhesion, leakage and peritonitis were
evaluated by necropsy. Mechanical properties were assessed using bursting pressure and tensile tests. Inflammation,
angiogenesis, and collagen deposition were examined histopathologically.
Results: The mean scores for adhesion and leakage were decreased in the treatment group versus control samples.
Lower infiltration of inflammatory cells was observed in the treatment group (P=0.03). Angiogenesis and collagen
deposition scores were significantly increased in the fibroblast transplanted group (P=0.03). Tensile mechanical
properties of the colon were significantly increased in the treatment group compared to the control sample (P=0.01).
There was no significant difference between the control and treatment groups in terms of bursting pressure (P=0.10).
Positive weight changes were found in sham and treatment groups, but the control rats lost weight after 7 days.
Conclusion: The results suggested that allotransplantation of dermal fibroblasts could improve the necroscopic, histopathological, and biomechanical indices of colonic anastomosis repair in rats.
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